Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced the 2023 winners of the Congressional Art Competition for the Fourth District of Oklahoma. Assisting with the judging of all entries and helping select the first-place winner and determine four finalists for the “People’s Choice” contest was Dr. Victor Koshkin-Youritzin, Professor Emeritus of Art History at the University of Oklahoma.
Leah Crowson of Norman has been named the first-place winner. Crowson attends Norman High School, where she studied art with Ms. Tauri Sims and recently completed the 12th grade. Crowson’s artwork will be on display at in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building as part of the grand prize for the next year along with other winners of the Congressional Art Competition from other districts across the country. Additionally, Crowson has been invited to attend a reception for all 1st place winners in the nation’s capital in the coming months.
“I am delighted to congratulate Leah Crowson for being selected as the Fourth District winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition,” said Cole. “Leah submitted another outstanding piece last year, which was chosen in the ‘People’s Choice’ contest. I was glad to see her submit another piece this year and win! Her painting is beautifully detailed, a tribute to her incredible talent.”
Crowson titled her winning piece Cathedral and used watercolor, acrylic and ink.
“I was inspired by the history and symbolism of stained-glass windows which have been used in religious and secular contexts for centuries,” said Crowson. “I was also drawn to the beauty and intricacy of stained glass itself which often feature vibrant colors and intricate designs. I was challenged to capture in watercolors the complex interplay of light, color and form that characterizes stained glass.”
“Leah is a very talented artist with a great attention to detail as well as drawing and shading skills that are just phenomenal,” said Sims. “I have been lucky enough to have had her in Art 1 her freshman year, and then again, in her senior year in AP Art. She has always been very talented, but it has been a joy to see her grow as an artist and a person through the years. I am very proud of her and her accomplishments.”
“People’s Choice” Winners Recognized in Norman Office
To determine the two runner-up winners, Cole’s office conducted a “People’s Choice” contest online. It was promoted through Cole’s social media channels with votes collected on an online form over the course of one week. Out of the almost 1,000 votes cast, artwork created by Sam Dominguez and Miranda Wrobel received the most. Both students’ artwork will hang in Cole’s Norman office for one year.
“Each year, many talented high school artists from the Fourth District submit their artwork for consideration for the Congressional Art Competition,” said Cole. “While only one piece can make its way to D.C., I am proud to recognize other artists by hosting the ‘People’s Choice’ competition. Congratulations to Sam Dominguez and Miranda Wrobel for being selected as this year’s runners-up. I look forward to having their incredible works of art hang in my Norman office for the next year.”
Sam Dominguez of Moore received the most votes for his artwork titled Enfocado (Focused), and it was created digitally. Dominguez attends Southmoore High School, where he studies art with Heather Bradbury and just completed the 11th grade.
“The piece is of the majestic clouded leopard,” said Dominguez. “The clouded leopard, an endangered species, had a beauty to it and thought this photo would help improve my ability to draw anatomy and my use of colors. So I recreated the leopard from scratch through my medium of digital art. For this experimental piece I stepped away from my usual monochromatic scheme and used color.”
“Sam Dominguez is a talented artist,” said Bradbury. “He has found a niche with his digital art. I have enjoyed watching Sam’s skill grow this year.”
Miranda Wrobel of Norman received the second-most votes for her drawing titled Jumbled Mind, and it was created using pencil. Wrobel attends Norman High School, where she studies art with Melissa Mayo and just completed the 10th grade.
“I wanted this piece to make people think,” said Wrobel. “In my art, I like to show moments of transformation, even confusion, about our human condition. We all go through feelings of uncertainty when we think about who we are, who we’ve been in the past and who we’ll be in the future. Really, this piece could be interpreted in a variety of ways, which is why I think people can connect with it.”
“I have been awestruck by Miranda’s level of talent for only being in the 10th grade this year,” said Mayo. “Her skills and creativity are outstanding, and it has been so exciting to see what she creates each time she gets a new piece of paper out.”
Prizes Courtesy of Fourth District Sponsors and Southwest Airlines
This year, Fowler Automotive and the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma generously sponsored prizes for all three winners of the Congressional Art Competition. The first-place winner will receive a $2,000 Visa gift card for expenses in Washington, D.C. when she comes to see her artwork on display. The “People’s Choice” winners will each receive $500 gift cards for purchasing more art supplies.
Courtesy of Southwest Airlines, the first-place winner and a guest will receive free airfare to Washington, D.C. for the national winners’ reception and award ceremony expected sometime this year.
About the Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors An Artistic Discovery, a nationwide competition for high school students interested in the arts and looking for an opportunity to showcase their creativity. The annual contest recognizes and encourages artistic talent of young constituents across the nation, including those living in Oklahoma’s Fourth Congressional District.
