Bonamici Announces Winner of 2026 Congressional Art Competition

WASHINGTON, DC [5/13/26] - Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Eric Chen, a junior from Lincoln High School, won the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Oregon's First District.

Chen's painting, "Departure," will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. Chen and one guest are also invited to attend an award ceremony in Washington, D.C., with other first-place winners from around the country.

"Arts education teaches students lifelong skills, and I know the student artists who participated in the Congressional Art Competition will benefit from their passion for the arts no matter what path they take in the future," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "Congratulations to Eric for winning this year's Competition! I look forward to seeing his art on display in DC."

"This painting depicts a touching moment of my mom and grandma conversing with each other right before my family departs from a visit to China," said Eric Chen. "My mom is a first-generation immigrant to the United States, where she has lived for decades; it is where all her responsibilities are… My grandma is unable to leave her home, each longs for the company of the other."

Ananthika Vinod, a sophomore from Westview High School, received an honorable mention for her piece, "Unfurling." Vinod's art will be displayed in Congresswoman Bonamici's Beaverton office for one year.

Local art leaders selected the Congressional Art Competition winner and honorable mention for Oregon's First District. This year's judges were John Goodwin, Director of Philanthropy at Portland Art Museum, and Ryan Burghard, Public Art & Artist Programs Coordinator at the Oregon Arts Commission.

Congresswoman Bonamici held a showcase and celebration with judges, educators, family members, and student artists to announce the Congressional Art Competition winner and honorable mention. A picture of Chen with their artwork can be found here.

Bonamici has been a strong advocate for the arts and arts education throughout her time in public service. She is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which promotes the integration of the arts and design with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

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