Winning student artwork heading to U.S. Capitol

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (May 29, 2023) — Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) awarded Campolindo High School student Jazlyn Xiao the top prize for her pencil work, “The Future in My Hands.”

As the winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 10th Congressional District, Xiao will have her work displayed at the U.S. Capitol.

The runners-up were Chloe Rong of Dougherty Valley High School for her oil painting, “American Dream,” and Carondolet’s Alexandra Macri for her pencil sketch, “Face of Time.”

Bethany Leung, now a student at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, also entered with her digital work titled “Hope.”

“I am proud of the students across Contra Costa and Alameda Counties who participated in this year’s competition, submitting creative, skilled pieces that prove just how important arts in education is,” DeSaulnier said.

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

DeSaulnier hosted a show at the Moraga Art Gallery to announce this year’s winners, join with students and community members to celebrate the students’ hard work, and showcase this year’s 27 submissions.

This year’s local judges were Eric Sanchez and John Schall of Los Medanos College, Dana Davis of Contra Costa College and Christopher Marker of Diablo Valley College.