Press Releases

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today announced that August Moon, a junior at the St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, won the Congressional Art Competition in Virginia’s 8th District with “Elona,” an oil on canvas painting (high resolution version here). A panel from Glenstone Museum chose the painting from dozens of works by Northern Virginia student artists.

Moon wrote that “Elona,” a painting on oil and canvas depicting a young Ethiopian American woman, “incorporates materials that symbolize and celebrate her heritage.” The piece will hang in the Capitol along with other winners of the Congressional Art Competition from across the country.

“August Moon’s ‘Elona’ is a remarkable work that demonstrates the power of art to bridge divides and celebrate heritage, culture, and community,” said Beyer. “Once hung in the Capitol, I believe this painting will help give visitors from across the country and around the world a sense of the vibrant diversity of our region and our nation. I extend my warmest congratulations to August and the other amazing young artists who competed in the Congressional Art Competition.”

Previous winners of the Congressional Art Competition include 2022 winner William Zhang from Thomas Jefferson HSST and 2021 winner Charlie Williams from Wakefield High School.