RELEASE: Congresswoman Friedman Hosts 2nd Annual Congressional Art Competition Showcase

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - U.S. Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30) hosted her 2nd annual Congressional Art Competition showcase. The showcase was held in the Art Salon at the historic Ebell of Los Angeles. Student artists, community members, and art competition judges were able to view over 30 submissions from 14 schools across the district. This year's Congressional Art Competition was judged by Ara Oshagan from the 18^th Street Art Center and Curator at ReflectSpace Gallery, CEO of Glendale Arts Nina Crowe, Art Historian and Museum Director at Forest Lawn Museum James Fishburne, Executive Director of the Museum of Neon Art Corey Siegel, and Margaret Garcia, a chronicler of Los Angeles history and Latina portrait artist and muralist based out of East LA and Echo Park.

"I look forward to the art competition every year, because the stories that these students tell through brushstrokes and acrylics we see here are just the start of a long journey in the creative arts - the kind of journey that may lead them to Hollywood studios making storyboards or drafting award-winning scripts," said Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30). "I will always strive to deliver more resources and opportunities for our children to pursue their creative dreams."

Friedman presented participants with Congressional certificates of recognition and took pictures with the student artists. Friedman also met and spoke to parents, art teachers, and contest judges, which included leaders of local museums and art galleries.

The 2026 Congressional Art Competition winners are as follows:

• 1^st Place: The Family Business on the Side of the Road by Andrea Acevedo (12^th Grade)
• 2^nd Place: Chaos by Sona Korkotyan (10^th Grade)
• 3^rd Place (Tie): Swallowed by Jiajin Li (10^th Grade) and Sunset Drive by Eduard Madatyan (10^th Grade)

Below: Rep. Friedman engaging with students and parents during the art showcase.

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