Oklahoma Students Receive National Recognition In Congressional Art Competition

The artistic talents of five Oklahoma high school students are getting national recognition right now at the seat of American democracy -- the United States Capitol.

The five students -- Cadence Kinney, Elizabeth Schuknecht, Leah Crowson, Kathryn Prater and Kadence McCullough -- are this year's state winners of the Congressional Art Competition, which has been recognizing and encouraging talent in visual art at the district level since 1982.

Each spring, students submit entries to their representative’s office and panels of district artists then select the winning entries.

Oklahoma's winning submissions for 2023 are:

 - District 1 -- Cadence Kinney, "Oklahoma Proud" (colored pencil)

 - District 2 -- Elizabeth Schuknecht, "Land of the Free Spirited" (acrylic)

 - District 3 -- Kadence McCullough, "The Manor" (watercolor and pen)

 - District 4 -- Leah Crowson, "Cathedral" (mixed media)

 - District 5 -- Kathryn Prater, "The Woods" (acrylic)

Stillwater High School's Kadence McCullough credits her art teacher for encouraging her to enter the competition and for helping her decide which piece to submit.

"[The Manor] is a place in Italy and I actually just found a picture of it on Pinterest," said McCulough in an interview last week, "and it was a project that I did before I even knew about the contest...I didn’t have too much confidence in it and [my art teacher] was, like, 'You have to put this one in the DC contest,' and I said, 'Okay, I’ll do it.'"

Weeks later, when her teacher pulled aside at the end of class, McCullough said she thought maybe she was in trouble, only to learn she had won.

"I was a little shocked--I still am a little shocked," McCullough laughed. "I just was not expecting to win whatsoever, knowing that there are so many other people with so many more talents."

Congressman Frank Lucas announced McCullough as his district's winner in May; and now, for the next year, her artwork will be part of one of Washington's most unique exhibitions, in a venue unlike any other.

The Cannon tunnel, which connects the Cannon House Office Building and the Capitol, is relatively quiet in August when members are on break. But during session, it’s bustling with members, staffers, media and visitors, and it's nearly impossible for them not to stare at the art.

McCullough and her mother Natasha went to Washington to see for themselves. She said it was overwhelming to walk through the tunnel.

"I was, like, 'Oh, wow!' McCullough recalled. "Seeing everybody’s art was so amazing and then I finally got to mine and, honestly, I thought, 'What is mine doing up here, I can’t believe it.'"

As humble as she is talented, the rising senior said she doesn't see herself pursuing a career in art -- she wants to be an engineer like others in her family. But she said art has been an important part of her life and she'll be forever grateful for this honor.

"Honestly, whenever I went down there and saw how many people were, not only taking pictures of their art and other people's art, but actually admiring it," McCullough allowed, "that is what I loved so much to see."