The artwork of senior Kai Valencia will soon hang on a wall of the U.S. Capitol building. Valencia won the 32nd annual Congressional Art Competition April 28 at the Capitol Arts Network/Washington School of Photography. His artwork was one of 200 pieces entered.

Congressman Chris Van Hollen hosted an awards ceremony for more than 300 teachers, parents and participants from 26 different schools within Maryland’s eighth congressional district.

“I was surprised to hear my name,” Valencia said, “Van Hollen called all the runners-up, and then called my name up. I wasn’t expecting to win.”

Valencia submitted an original acrylic painting named “Untitled” of a person with sunglasses. Jurors found his piece to be distinctive in subject matter and execution, said Bridgett Frey, the Congressman’s communications director.

“I am consistently impressed with the pieces in the show – the jurors told us that they have a very difficult task because of the high quality of the work of our students,” said Van Hollen, in an email from legislative director Sarah Schenning.

Valencia has a gift known as “the third eye,” studio art teacher Jean Diamond said.

“He is able to see in a very unusual way,” she said. “He doesn’t just draw and paint what he sees. He adds a spin to it—he’s highly creative, highly original in his work.”

The art department purchased Valencia’s “Untitled” for the Student Legacy Collection, a collection that displays alumni artwork in the glass showcases on the first floor hallways, Diamond said.

“I knew when it was juried in that it was high quality,” Diamond said. “When they called me the day before and said he has won a very big award, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh.’”

Six other runners-up, including students from Walter Johnson and Einstein, will have their artwork hung in Van Hollen’s offices for one year. Valencia’s piece will be displayed in the Capitol for a year beginning in June, along with the first-place winners from other congressional voting districts across the country.

“That was the most exciting thing for Kai and his family, to be validated as an artist,” said Diamond. “Kai is a very quiet person—he never brags.”

Jurors selected 17 pieces from 92 for special recognition, including the work of sophomore Jackie Margolis, who received honorable mention. These 92 entries will be on display at Capitol Arts Network/Washington School of Photography through May 16.

Van Hollen does not influence the outcome of the competition—the winner is left to only the jurors to decide, said Frey. The congressman values the opportunity the competition gives local student artists.

“I am pleased that the Congressional Art Competition gives students a venue to showcase their talent,” said Van Hollen in the email from Schenning. “I will continue to do what I can to encourage young artists in our community.”