MOUNT VERNON — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) on Friday announced that Olivia Hamm of Oak Harbor High School is the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Washington state’s 2nd Congressional District. Her charcoal self-portrait, “Sleepy,” took first place.
“It takes courage to put yourself out there as a young artist, and I want to thank all the students who submitted their work to the Congressional Art Competition,” said Larsen. “Congratulations to Olivia Hamm for winning this year’s competition. I look forward to seeing ‘Sleepy’ displayed in the U.S. Capitol throughout the year.”
“Sleepy” will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Hamm has also been invited to attend the Congressional Art Competition awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and will receive round-trip airfare for herself and one adult companion.
Second place went to Jasper Christopherson of Oak Harbor High School for “Up Close and Far Away: Isaiah.” Third place was awarded to Loren Joung of Kamiak High School for “Close Enough to Know.”
Oak Harbor High School art teacher Kit Christopherson praised the standout work of his students.
“Olivia’s winning use of charcoal created a diffused glow in a self-portrait full of subtle textural detail and even subtler surrealism,” Christopherson said. “She is that rare blend of both exceptionally creative and exceptionally hardworking. Jasper’s bombastic approach to forced perspective was both technically excellent and viscerally disturbing. We’re incredibly proud to have two students recognized as standouts, and we remain committed to showcasing art in government spaces—especially in our military community.”
This year, Rep. Larsen’s office received 20 eligible artwork submissions from across the Second District. Rep. Larsen, Dr. Kate MacKenzie (Snohomish County Arts Commissioner), Therese Kingsbury (President of Sculpture Northwest), and Diane Martindale (former President of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art) served as judges in the competition. Each submission was scored on creativity, the execution of the artist’s skill and the way the piece tells a story or provokes a reaction.
The winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition in Washington state’s 2nd Congressional District, “Swallow Your Attitude” by Tessa Meyer of Oak Harbor High School, has hung in the U.S. Capitol for the past year.
Each spring since 1982, the Congressional Institute has sponsored the Congressional Art Competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in each congressional district. Since the competition began, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. For more information about the annual Congressional Art Competition, click here.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
