A Christian County High School student has earned statewide recognition in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Kentucky’s First District.
Congressman James Comer announced this week that Bailey Bayne of Christian County High School placed second in this year’s competition with her artwork titled “Around the Bend.” Her piece will now be displayed in Comer’s Washington, D.C. office.
The annual Congressional Art Competition is sponsored each spring by members of the U.S. House of Representatives and is open to high school students nationwide. The competition is designed to recognize and encourage artistic talent from congressional districts throughout the country.
More than 50 original pieces were submitted by students across Kentucky’s First Congressional District, and Comer said the quality of this year’s entries made judging especially difficult.
First place went to Elyda Hicks of Metcalfe County High School for her drawing “The Great Comforter.” That artwork will be displayed for one year inside the U.S. Capitol alongside winning entries from congressional districts nationwide.
Third place was awarded to Kendall Wright of Monroe County High School for the piece “What the Water Remembers,” which will hang in Comer’s Tompkinsville office.
Students participating in the Congressional Art Competition are required to submit original artwork that meets the size and weight guidelines established by the U.S. House of Representatives. Winning artwork is traditionally displayed in Washington for one year, and first-place winners are invited to attend a summer reception in the nation’s capital.
