A blue-winged teal painting by 17-year-old Nina Liang of Texas has been selected to grace the 2026-2027 Junior Duck Stamp, following her first-place win in the 2026 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. Simultaneously, Congresswoman Shontel Brown today announced the winners of the 2026 OH-11 Congressional Art Competition, with Alana Mullen's artwork, 'Untitled,' earning first place and a year-long display in the U.S. Capitol.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed Liang's victory in the national contest, where her acrylic depiction of a pair of blue-winged teal secured the top honor. The prestigious award ensures her artwork will be featured on the upcoming Junior Duck Stamp, a significant recognition for young conservation artists. Following Liang in the national competition were Jisun Yoon, 14, of New Jersey, who placed second with an acrylic painting of a mallard hen, and Thora Larson, 14, of South Dakota, who took third place with a blue-winged teal in acrylic and oil. Additionally, Iris Lovett, 13, of Wisconsin, was recognized as the winner of the Conservation Message Contest.
In Ohio, Congresswoman Brown highlighted the talent within her district by announcing the results of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. Alana Mullen, a student at Bedford High School, earned the top spot with her piece titled 'Untitled.' As the first-place winner, Mullen's artwork will be proudly displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, representing the OH-11 district on a national stage.
Beyond the first-place honor, Congresswoman Brown also recognized other outstanding contributions to the competition. McKenna Murphy of Villa Angela Saint Joseph High School received the People’s Choice Award for her artwork, 'Somber Night.' Yuewen Li from Beachwood High School was honored with the Congressional Impact Award for her piece, 'Growing Side by Side,' while Keon Chambliss of Bedford High School earned the Creative Excellence Award for 'This Isn’t the Ending.' These awards acknowledged strong community and creative themes present in the students' works.
Both the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest and the Congressional Art Competition provide crucial platforms for young artists to showcase their talents and contribute to national initiatives, whether in conservation awareness or public art displays.