Bonamici Announces Winner of Oregon First District’s 2024 Congressional Art Competition

WASHINGTON, D.C. [05/17/24] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici announced thatMaia Schabel, a senior from Ida B. Wells High School, won this year’s Congressional Art Competition for Oregon’s First District.

Schabel’s painting, “The Skier,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. As the winner, Maia will also have the opportunity to fly with one guest to Washington, D.C. for an award ceremony with the other first-place winners from Congressional Districts around the country.

Lyra Roska, a junior also from Ida B. Wells High School, received an honorable mention for her piece, “Golden Hour." Roska’s art will be displayed in Congresswoman Bonamici’s Beaverton office for one year.

“I am always impressed by the talent, creativity, and thoughtfulness of the student artists who participate in the Congressional Art Competition,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “As a longtime champion for arts education, I know these qualities will help them succeed in their future pursuits. I congratulate Maia for her first-place painting and look forward to seeing it when I walk through the halls of our nation’s Capitol throughout this next year.”

“Mt. Hood is a special place to me. I spent my childhood skiing and exploring there, and, even over the past few years I’ve noticed the detrimental effects of global warming, especially on the snow,” said Maia Schabel. “This piece is intended to reflect the joy and togetherness that mountains and nature bring, in hope that we can decrease our climate impact so we don’t lose these experiences.”

Local judges selected the Congressional Art Competition winner and honorable mention for Oregon’s First District. This year's panel of judges included Subashini Ganesan-Forbes, Chair of the Oregon Arts Commission; Jennifer Cole, Jordan Schnitzer Dean of Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University; and Karl LeClair, City of Hillsboro Public Arts Director.

Last week Congresswoman Bonamici held a virtual roundtable discussion and celebration with judges, educators, family members, and student artists to announce the Congressional Art Competition winner and honorable mention. Pictures of the Schabel and Roska with their artwork can be found here and here.

Bonamici has been a strong advocate for the arts and arts education throughout her time in public service. She is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which promotes the integration of the arts and design with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

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