U.S. Representative Richard Hudson on Tuesday announced the 2026 Congressional Art Competition winners from North Carolina’s 9th District.
Pinecrest High School student Olivia Christensen, of Aberdeen, won third place for her painting called The Reflection of Liberty.
“The Congressional Art Competition is an incredible opportunity to highlight the artistic talents of our District’s high school students, and I was very impressed by all of the submissions we received this year,” said Rep. Hudson in a news release. “I congratulate this year’s winners and thank everyone who participated in the competition. I look forward to showcasing their artwork in the Capitol and my office.”
The 2026 theme, “America 250,” invited students to honor our country’s founding principles and the spirit of liberty that has shaped generations.
Below are the first and second place winners for North Carolina’s 9th District.
The first-place winner’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol, second place will hang in Rep. Hudson’s Washington, D.C. office, and third place will hang in his Southern Pines office.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, hundreds of thousands of high school students have participated. North Carolina’s 9th District Congressional Art Competition is judged by a committee of local artists who reviewed submissions earlier this year.
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