SAINT PAUL, MINN. – Congresswoman Betty McCollum has announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District, with Alyssa Wang of Woodbury taking first place for her graphite piece, "Color Me Happy." Wang's winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol, a prestigious honor for the young artist.
The announcement was made during a recognition evening and exhibit hosted by Congresswoman McCollum at the Atrium Gallery, Schmidt Artist Lofts, in Saint Paul. The event, held on a Thursday night prior to April 25, 2026, celebrated the artistic talents of over sixty high school students whose artwork was showcased during the Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl.
Joining Wang in receiving top honors were Rebecca Maas of Saint Paul, who secured second place for her piece, "While I Sleep In," and Lily Kroeger of North St. Paul, who earned third place with her colored pencil artwork, "Puppeteer My Own Limits." Maas's second-place entry will be displayed in Congresswoman McCollum's Washington D.C. office, while Kroeger's third-place piece will be featured in the Congresswoman's Saint Paul office.
The annual Congressional Art Competition provides an opportunity for high school students across the country to showcase their artistic abilities and have their work recognized at a national level. The recognition evening served as a platform to highlight the creativity and dedication of Minnesota's emerging artists within the Fourth Congressional District.