Kean Announces Winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition
(May 11, 2026) LEBANON BOROUGH, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District. This year’s competition theme was “Celebrating America’s 250 Years.”
First place has been awarded to Kaylie Gao of Warren, New Jersey for her acrylic painting, Allegiance. Kaylie attends The Pingry School. Her painting will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and she will be invited to Washington, D.C. for a national recognition ceremony in June.
Two runners-up were also recognized: Vivien Xu of Westfield, New Jersey for her acrylic painting, Our Worker, and Mia Li of Warren, New Jersey for her pen and color pencil artwork, American Spirit. Vivien attends Westfield High School and Mia attends Newark Academy. Both of their pieces will be exhibited in Congressman Kean’s offices in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. on a rotating basis throughout the year.
“Each year, the Congressional Art Competition highlights the next generation of artists,” said Congressman Kean. “Our district’s winners brought the spirit of our nation’s 250th anniversary to life through their artwork, and I am proud to help showcase their talent on a national stage. I look forward to seeing Kaylie’s painting exhibited in the Capitol in the coming months and to displaying Vivien's and Mia’s work in my congressional offices.”
“This artwork highlights teamwork, ambition, and national identity by depicting an American Olympic swimming relay team that just won an event. The eagle and the flag behind the team symbolize nationalism and American pride,” said winning artist, Kaylie Gao.
Several students were also recognized with Honorable Mentions:
- United We Soar - A 250 Year Journey by Thanushri Krishnakumar of Bridgewater, NJ | Bridgewater-Raritan High School
- From Roots to Future by Evelyn Linlang Ouyang of Warren, NJ | The Pingry School
- Columbia Meets Her Successor by Julia Sun of Mendham, NJ | West Morris Mendham High School
- Fleeting Youth by Sophia Liu of Branchburg, NJ | Bridgewater-Raritan High School
- Stars, Stripes, and Stories by Nathan Veillard of Hackettstown, NJ | Hackettstown High School
All winners were selected by a panel of professional judges based on artistic skill, design, visual appeal, and originality. The judges who participated in this year’s competition were Colleen Furnari and Catherine Benton.
Colleen Furnari teaches art at the Midland School in Branchburg, New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a concentration in drawing and painting. She lives in Hunterdon County and is a lifelong resident of New Jersey.
Catherine Benton is a high school art educator specializing in Art History and Mixed Media and this is her second year as a judge for the Congressional Art Competition. She also serves as the Warren County Chair for the Art Educators of New Jersey (AENJ) and organizes the annual Warren County Youth Art Month (YAM) exhibition. A practicing artist, Catherine also partners with national tour groups to provide students with immersive cultural and artistic experiences beyond the classroom.
2026 Winner
Allegiance by Kaylie Gao
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