Congressman Carter Announces Congressional Art Competition Finalists at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

View photos of the event here

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Yesterday, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) in partnership with the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport announced the winner and nine finalists of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition from high schools in Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District (LA-02).

Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors a nationwide high school arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in each Congressional District. The winning piece will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building for a year. Additionally, reproductions of the nine finalists' portraits will be displayed at the Airport on Concourse A for six months beginning this summer.

"Each year, this nationwide competition reminds us that art is more than paint on a canvas or an image in a frame," said Rep. Carter. "Art tells stories. It challenges injustice, sparks dialogue, preserves culture, and inspires hope. Here in New Orleans, creativity is woven into the very fabric of our communities, and these students carry that legacy forward with extraordinary talent. I want to congratulate our winner and all the finalists, as well as every student who participated this year, on a phenomenal body of artwork."

This year's winner is "Afro-futuristic Hairstyle" by Lauryn Landers. Lauryn used inspiration from her own hairstyles to create this piece out of acrylic and hair on canvas. "Hair is an important part of how I express myself, so this piece became a way to explore identity and culture in a personal way. I am able to push the hairstyle beyond realism while keeping it recognizable, using exaggerated shapes and textures to give it a futuristic, almost sculptural feel," said Lauryn.

"This art competition is especially meaningful because we are committed to students and education," said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. "Our airport is the front door to New Orleans and the entire region, and we are proud to showcase the next generation of Louisiana artists to our passengers."

The 10 finalists for the 2026 LA-02 Congressional Art Competition are:

• Winner - Lauryn Landers, "Afro-futuristic Hairstyle" - New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, 12th Grade
• Frida Godwin, "Still Life with Snowball and Beads" and "Still Life with Trumpet" - Louise S. Mcgehee, 9th Grade
• EdDion Baines, "One Swan Two Farms" - Edna Karr High School, 11th Grade
• Sara Vukelic, "Bridge Over Quiet Bayou" - The Willow School Nola, 9th Grade
• Vivian Stewart, "A Flag's Shadow" - Stewart Academy Home School, 10th Grade
• Molly Reyher, "Les Swamps Sales and Sel", Benjamin Franklin High School, 10th Grade
• Dathan April, "A Gentle Hand", Archbishop Shaw High School, 10th Grade
• Marianne Nguyen, "The Woman in the Pond", Benjamin Franklin High School, 11th Grade
• Sage M. Cooper, "I've Seen Stranger Things", White Castle High School, 11th Grade

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