Mrvan Announces Winner of 2026 Congressional Art Competition

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan announced that Sophia Eko of Bishop Noll Institute is the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition.  

Congressman Mrvan stated, “I thank all of the talented students across Indiana’s First Congressional District who participated in the Congressional Art Competition and showcased their creative abilities.  Congratulations to Sophia from Bishop Noll Institute on creating such a moving piece of artwork to represent our region in the U.S. Capitol Building.” 

Sophia Eko stated, “I’ve had this concept for an artistic piece for a while now, this is the first time I’ve been able to successfully convey it.  It’s more than just a competition piece but rather a reflection of my own personal experience, translated into something my own.  This will be the first of many art competitions, with many more pieces to come.”  

According to Sophia, she used pencil and watercolors to create her winning artwork, “Not Really Enough,” which depicts a girl painting flowers on herself in an attempt to reflect femininity. 

Dana Moore, Art Teacher at Bishop Noll Institute, stated, “Sophia’s talent for artistic emotional expression was evident from the very moment I met her at the beginning of this school year.  Her ability to translate feeling into visual form is truly remarkable for her age.  As a Freshman it is typically hard for students to find confidence and express themselves through their work as Sopia has.  I am proud and honored to celebrate this huge achievement for her and anticipate a bright future for her artistic career.”

Lorenza Jara Pastrick, Principal of Bishop Noll Institute, stated, “Sophia's artwork is powerful and resonates with many students throughout the US.  I'm thankful Ms. Moore continues to inform and empower our students to share their talents and speak from their hearts and minds.”

Jonathan Canning, Executive Director of the South Shore Arts and Judge of the Congressional Art Competition, stated, “I was impressed by the strong drafting skills exhibited in the rendering of the face but what really caught my attention was this ninth-grader's creative ingenuity in conveying, quite memorably, her personal experience and feelings to me.  The image has stuck with me, even though I shall never share the hurt that engendered it.”

To learn more about the Congressional Art Competition, click here.

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