(Towson, MD) - U.S. Congressman Johnny Olszewski today announced that Flory Thomas, a Towson resident and junior at Notre Dame Preparatory School, has won the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Maryland's Second District.

Thomas' winning entry, Sixteen, is a Prismacolor colored pencil drawing depicting a birthday cake illuminated by glowing candles. The artwork will be displayed for one year in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel at the U.S. Capitol, where it will be viewed by thousands of visitors, Members of Congress, and Capitol staff each day as they travel between office buildings and the House floor.

"Flory's artwork is thoughtful and technically impressive, both personal and universal," said Congressman Olszewski. "Sixteen captures a personal moment while inviting viewers to see themselves reflected in the piece. I'm proud to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary creativity of students across Maryland's Second District and I look forward to showing off Flory's talent to visitors in the U.S. Capitol throughout the coming year."

The Congressional Art Competition is an annual nationwide program sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize and encourage artistic talent among high school students across the country. Each participating congressional district selects one winning piece to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for one year alongside artwork from students nationwide.

This year, 13 students from across Maryland's Second District submitted artwork for consideration.

Ethan Sappe, a junior at Dulaney High School in Timonium, earned second place for his photograph, From Chaos to Clarity. Lucy Zhang, a junior at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, received third place for her oil painting, A Small Beauty.

Joshua Turner, a senior at Gilman School in Baltimore and the Second District's 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner, received an honorable mention for his oil painting, Cecily's Story.

In Sixteen, the birthday cake serves as the focal point of the composition, while a softly lit figure appears in the background, illuminated only by candlelight. Thomas said the subject's intentional ambiguity allows viewers to interpret the scene through their own experiences.