Cole Announces OK-04 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Oklahoma - Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Oklahoma's Fourth District:

Katelyn Estes of Stratford, Oklahoma has been named the first-place winner. Estes attends Stratford High School and studies art under her teacher, Shea Meyer. For the Congressional Art Competition, Estes submitted artwork titled "Spirit of the Plains," which is a charcoal piece of a bison head. The art will be brought to Washington, D.C. and hang in the United States Capitol Building for an entire year.

"I am excited to congratulate Katelyn on being selected as the Fourth District's overall winner for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition," said Congressman Cole. "Her bison piece makes it clear just how talented she is. It is truly beautiful and I know Katelyn has a bright future ahead of her."

When asked about her artwork, Estes said, "My inspiration this year was a Bison. This was my first time using charcoal for a drawing. I'm surprised by how much fun I had experimenting with this medium and by how well it turned out for my first time. Our local vet is also a bison ranch, and I think it's super cool that I live only five miles away from it. The one that I chose to draw was from there. I wanted this drawing to showcase the overlooked beauty of the bison that I, and many other people, drive past every day. My favorite part to draw was definitely the eye; it's what gives the piece a soul."

"I am so proud of Katelyn. She has worked so hard and just keeps getting better. She loves creating and her work shows it. She has had a great senior year, and winning this great honor just caps off an outstanding year," said Meyer, Stratford High School Art Teacher.

In addition to naming Katelyn the winner, two runner-up winners were named through a "People's Choice" contest online, which was conducted through Congressman Cole's social media channels. Out of the hundreds of votes cast, artwork by Jessica Gibson and Wren Hobbs received the most. Both students' artwork will be displayed in Congressman Cole's Oklahoma office for the next year.

"Each year that we hold the Congressional Art Competition, I am so impressed by the many skilled high school students from across the Fourth District. While only one piece can be chosen to make its way to D.C., I think it is important to recognize the other talented students by holding the People's Choice competition, as so many of the pieces are so beautiful. Therefore, I am thrilled to name Jessica and Wren as this year's second and third-place winners. I can't wait to have their art hanging in my office this year," said Congressman Cole.

Jessica Gibson, the second-place winner, resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and attends Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast, where she studies art under her teacher, Amber Crump. For the contest, she submitted a piece titled "Myriad in Bloom," which is an acrylic painting of downtown Oklahoma City at the myriad botanical gardens.

When asked about her inspiration for her artwork, Gibson said, "I decided to paint downtown because it's not what everyone thinks of when they think of Oklahoma. I wanted to highlight the growing metropolitan side of our state. I especially love the way it looks in spring with all the red buds and flowers blooming underneath our watercolor painted skies. America celebrates its 250th anniversary soon and I think downtown Oklahoma City is a beautiful representation of how far we've come in that time."

"As Ms. Gibson's art teacher at Classen School for Advanced Studies H.S., it is no surprise that she does well competitively. Her dynamic usage of color and her ability to capture her visions for others to see set her apart as an aspiring young artist. She is driven and experimentary in her approach to creation. I am honored to have her in class and can not wait to see how she grows and develops her craft over the next couple of years. Thank you for extending this competition to young artists across your district. Art competitions such as this one help to keep arts & art programs valid in public schools.," said Crump, Classen School for Advanced Studies Art Teacher.

Wren Hobbs of Norman, Oklahoma is the third-place winner. She attends Norman North High School, where she studies art under her teacher, Sheila Hunter. For the Congressional Art Competition, Hobbs submitted artwork titled "Still Home," which is a pencil drawing of the endangered piping plover on a beach surrounded by trash.

"My piece is inspired by my passion for avian conservation and the importance of protecting bird populations. It is one of the pieces from my AP art portfolio," said Hobbs.

" It's rare to have a student not only dedicated to their craft, but also to a cause. I've been lucky enough to know Wren all four of her years in high school, and during that time I've seen her grow as an artist and an advocate for animal conservation. She's been an active participant in showing her art in contests/shows, and in leading our school's environmental club. When you look at the line work in her drawings, you can see the attention to detail with her carefully curated colors - but also the accuracy of the animals and their environments. She takes the time to learn their history and struggles and uses her art to teach others. I'm so proud of what she's achieved as not only an artist, but an educator in animal rights," said Hunter, Norman North High School Art Teacher.

Background on the Congressional Art Competition:

Each spring, the Congressional Art Institute sponsors a nationwide competition for high school students with an interest in art and looking for an opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent.

This year, the first-place winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., including two Southwest Airlines tickets, to attend the awards ceremony.

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