Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced Angela Liu from Westlake High School as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 26th Congressional District. Liu’s piece, “Get on the Bus,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for one year.
“Every year, I am in awe of the incredible talent of the young artists across our region who participate in the Congressional Art Competition — and this year was no exception. Liu’s artwork is an exceptional example of the creativity and talent that exists throughout our region, and I wholeheartedly extend my sincere congratulations to her and the winning piece that will represent our district in the Halls of Congress,” said Congresswoman Brownley.
“Art is a powerful form of expression that allows students to express their emotions, channel their creativity, and advocate for the causes they care about. Our community is richer for the imagination, insight, and passion these young artists bring to the table. Each student who participated in this competition has contributed something meaningful — a piece of who they are, and a vision of who we can become.”
“I am deeply honored that my artwork has been selected as the first-place winner in the Congressional Art Competition. It’s especially meaningful considering the immense talents among the high school students in our region. I have participated in this competition for the past three years, and was recognized with an honorable mention last year,” said Angela Liu, the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. “Art has been an integral part of my life since childhood. What started as simple explorations has grown into a pursuit of techniques and the nuanced interplay of hues, values, and textures. During challenging times, drawing is my sanctuary, offering a way to calm my anxieties and nurture my spirit. Today, my artwork serves a purpose beyond personal fulfillment. I strive to use it as a medium to amplify my voice, connect with my community, and advocate for social justice.”
“In recent years, I’ve been drawn to the artistic approaches of Rembrandt and Sargent. I find the portrayal of people in art incredibly captivating,” Liu continued. My artistic goal is centered around creating characters that feel alive with their own narratives and distinct personalities that shine through in my work. In my winning piece, “Get on the Bus,” my intention was to offer glimpses into the life of the woman I depicted. I hoped to convey her confidence, her experiences as a witness to history, and the wisdom that comes with age, all within a brief moment captured on a bus.”
“It comes as no surprise to me that Angela has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition,” said Scott Holloway, physics teacher at Westlake High School. “As her AP physics teacher for the past two years, I have been lucky to see Angela combine art and science with a passion. Angela is always creating, whether it be a new drawing or redesigning a project for her science classes. I have encouraged my students to put the A (art) in STEM to make STEAM, and Angela has truly embraced that ideology. She creates both informative as well as creative pieces that increase engagement and elicit more emotion. Angela continues to impress me on a regular basis, from 3-D printing an interactive geared heart for Mother’s Day to designing the physics club T-shirt designs for the year. I know her creativity will not only continue to be a passion for her, but will also inspire others to better interact with the world.”
“This year’s group of artists demonstrated their talents in a diverse array of media, exploring topics from observations of everyday life to deeply personal experiences,” said Jeffrey Bowen, Director of Library Programming and Public Affairs at Pepperdine University and judge of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. “Kudos to all the students for experimenting with form and compositions, and even taking some risks in their artistic endeavors. I congratulate the winner and the runners-up for their especially keen artistic eyes and execution of their ideas.”
“Seeing all of the amazing art pieces makes me realize the amount of talent that there is at the youth level and just how much potential they all have. This is a fantastic platform for students to showcase their art and, with it, share with the greater public a small piece of their life and perspectives, along with the expressiveness of their feelings and thought process about various themes through their amazing art,” said Jesus Delgadillo Galindo, judge of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition.
“This has been a valuable experience for me, and it is meaningful to be part of this selection process to ensure our district is well represented,” said Chuy Salgado León, judge of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. “It is also inspiring to see the subject matter that our youth take an interest in. The art I’ve seen through this competition reminds me that effort must match purpose in everything I do.”
Two honorable mentions were also recognized, including “Peaceful Dayspring” by Riley Rohrer from Oak Park Independent School and “La Pescheria” by Sebastian Costuche from Westlake High School. Their artwork will be displayed in Congresswoman Brownley’s district offices in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard.
Started in 1982, the nationwide Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and is an opportunity to recognize and encourage students’ artistic talent across the country.
Submissions from students in grades 9-12 across the 26th Congressional District were judged by a panel of local judges who work within the arts, academic, and social work fields. This year’s submissions were judged by Jeffrey Bowen, Director of Library Programming and Public Affairs at Pepperdine University; Jesus Delgadillo Galindo, a local artist and graphic designer from Oxnard; and Chuy Salgado Leon, a local graphic designer from Oxnard.
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Issues: 119th Congress, Local Issues