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Swalwell Announces 15th District Winners in 2018 Congressional Art Competition

April 23, 2018

DUBLIN – Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) announced the winners of his 6th annual Congressional Art Competition at a reception Saturday at the Dublin Civic Center.

High school students from throughout the Congressman's East Bay district submitted 60 paintings, drawings, collages, photographs and other works of art, which were judged by a panel of distinguished 15th Congressional District artists and business owners.

The first-place winner was Zoe Medlin, a sophomore at California High School in San Ramon, for her oil painting entitled, "Look Me In The Face." Zoe described her work as depicting "a young woman, seated, with a bag over her head, (who) represents the countless unknown women of the world waiting to be seen and heard."

Zoe's work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and she will receive round-trip airfare to Washington, D.C., to attend the unveiling ceremony.

In second place was Jennifer Liu, a junior at Dublin High School, with the oil painting, "Companion." And in third place was Shangxi Wu, a sophomore at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, with the pastel painting, "Old Man in Costume." The second- and third-place winners' work will be displayed in Rep. Swalwell's district office in Castro Valley.

"Every year, I'm dazzled by the amazing talent displayed by the 15th District students who enter our Congressional Art Competition, and this year is no different," Swalwell said. "This district is home to dozens of young artists of fantastic ability and vision. I'm humbled to be able to share the top winners' work with our district and the nation."

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

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Look Me in the Face by Zoe Medlin (1st Place)
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Companion by Jennifer Liu (2nd Place)
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Old Man in Costume by Shangxi Wu (3rd Place)