WASHINGTON – Congressman Max Miller, R-Rocky River, today announced the winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition: Abigail Xiong, a freshman at Solon High School.

Xiong’s artwork will hang in the US Capitol in Washington, DC, alongside the winners from other congressional districts across the country for one year beginning this summer. Her art, an acrylic painting titled “Gentle Hearts,” features a family of tigers against a backdrop of a dark, silent jungle.

Miller was able to break the good news to Xiong during a visit to her home on Monday.

“Abigail is a gifted artist whose work stood out among some very impressive entries by talented artists from across our district. I am excited for her opportunity to showcase her abilities to thousands of Capitol visitors each year, and I look forward to seeing it every day on my way to vote,” Miller said.

Xiong cultivated her passion for art during the COVID pandemic. At home and unsure what to do, she studied techniques on YouTube and painted almost every day to refine her craft.

“I am incredibly delighted and amazed that Congressman Miller selected my painting ‘Gentle Hearts’ as Best in Show for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition out of all the phenomenal entries to represent Ohio’s seventh district in DC,” Xiong said. “I deeply treasure its elusiveness and significance, and it fills me up with happiness so overflowing that my worries are dispelled for a while. My excitement for my painting to be hung in the Capitol Hill in DC is indescribable. I think it’s an understatement to say that to see my work hanging in Capitol Hill and knowing that I placed first in the Congressional Art Competition for my district will be one of those memories I will retain and cherish many years down the road.”

“We were thrilled to know that Abby won Best in Show for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition in the 7th district of Ohio. We are so happy for Abby that all her hard work and artistic endeavors paid off, and are extremely proud of her!” said Abigail’s mother Saiying Deng. “It is so exciting to know that Abby’s artwork ‘Gentle Hearts’ will be on display in the Capitol for one year, and we can’t wait to see it in person in the Capitol! We also appreciate that Congressman Miller and his wife Emily, and his teammates Brian and Kayla, as well as Abby’s art teacher Lindsay came to our house to present Abby the award. It was such a special and memorable occasion that our entire family will deeply cherish for many years to come!”

Miller held a People’s Choice contest on his social media platforms. The winner based on the total reactions across all platforms is Aubrey Reuter, a freshman from Buckeye High School. She entered a photograph titled “Lake Level” that she took at Colter Bray of Teton’s National Park in Wyoming. Reuter has been offered the opportunity to display her work in Miller’s Washington office.

This year’s runner up in the Congressional Art Competition is Ann Grendon, a senior at Northwestern High School. She entered an acrylic painting titled “Girl in a Box” and has been offered the opportunity to display her work in Miller’s district office.

Alexander Swantek, a sophomore at Buckeye High School, submitted a photograph titled “America the Beautiful.” He has also been offered the opportunity to display his work in Miller’s district office.

More information about the Congressional Art Competition can be found here.

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