Underwood Announces 14th District’s Alondra Lee Mathena as the 2022 Congressional Art Competition Winner
WEST CHICAGO - Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) is pleased to announce Alondra Lee Mathena as the winner of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for the 14th District. Mathena, a senior at Geneva High School, was chosen for her piece titled "The Stairway Above," a digital photograph with 3D elements. Underwood's office received 50 art submissions from high schools across northern Illinois.
"I am inspired by the incredible art Alondra and the other students have created. I hope they continue to pursue their creative passion – our community and country need to support and encourage more artistic leaders like them," said Underwood.
"I was super excited to find out my photo got first place and will now be displayed in the Capitol building. It so amazing to think that my work can go that far and is totally an eye-opener to what I can do in the future with my art career," said Alondra Lee Mathena.
Through the Congressional Art Competition, Congress seeks to encourage the next generation of artists by inspiring students from all backgrounds to pursue their artistic passions. "The Stairway Above" is expected to be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol building, on the U.S. House of Representatives website, and on the Congressional Art Competition website.
Photos from the reception and of the award-winning art can be found here.
The number of visual and performing arts graduates in the workforce has been growing yearly since 2018. Women make up 60% of arts graduates but only 46% of all working artists. Underwood has worked to strengthen this pipeline to encourage more diversity in the arts. Last year, Underwood secured $170 million for the National Endowments for the Arts (NEA), an organization that works to support and fund art in communities across the country.
For further information about the Congressional Art Competition, visit
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