Press Releases

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) announced the winner of the Second Congressional District’s 2022 Congressional Art Competition! 60 students from central Arkansas submitted their work for this year’s competition.

The winner of this year’s competition is Josie Atkinson with Midnight – Up Close and Personal. Josie is an 11^th grade student at Greenbrier High School. The winner of this year’s Fan Favorite Award is Chloe Grandfield with I Am Here. Chloe is an 8^th grade student at Beebe Jr. High School.

“I am proud to congratulate Josie– the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition! This year, with 60 submissions, was one of our most competitive yet. Every year, I am impressed with the exceptional work of our young artists, and I thank the leaders in our community, including our local art teachers, who encourage our students and give them the tools and resources to produce such outstanding art,” said Rep. Hill. “I look forward to seeing Josie’s artwork on display in the United States Capitol for Members of Congress, their staff, and visitors to see for the next year – as well as Chloe’s art, which will be on display in my Little Rock office. I am proud of the work of our central Arkansas artists and look forward to highlighting their work over the next year.”

Josie’s winning artwork was selected by our panel of judges, including Donna Uptigrove, Associate Director with the Historic Arkansas Museum, and Matthew Smith with the University of Central Arkansas. Chloe’s artwork was selected through my Fan Favorite Award, which allowed individuals to vote for their favorite piece of art. This year, over 1,000 votes were cast in the Fan Favorite competition.

The Winners were:

First place (pictured below) from Greenbrier High School – Josie Atkinson – for her work titled “Midnight – Up Close and Personal.”

Second place (pictured below) from Little Rock Central High School – Isabelle Boysen – for her work titled “Still Life of Sebastian.

Third place (pictured below) from Sylvan Hills High School – Delaney Swinton – for her work titled “Arkansas Diamond.”

Honorable Mention from Episcopal Collegiate School – Sarah Stewart – for her work titled “Are Your Thoughts of me still Set in Stone.”

Honorable Mention from Catholic High School for Boys – Henry Hughes – for his work titled “Snorkel.”

“Fan Favorite” from Beebe Jr. High – Chole Grandfield – for her work titled “I am Here.”

Background Information:

Each year, high school students from central Arkansas compete to have their art showcased in the U.S. Capitol. The winner will have the opportunity to come to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception for all the Congressional Art Competition winners from across the country.