Ruiz Names Congressional Art Competition Winners

PALM DESERT —The office of Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. on Friday announced the winners of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition.

Every year, students submit entries to their representative’s office and a panel of district artists selects the winning entry. The winner is recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington D.C. where the winning artwork is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

This year’s winner is Leah Cosgrove of Xavier College Prep High School.

This year’s winning artwork for California’s 36th Congressional District is titled “To Hug the Earth.” This artwork was created through digital art and depicts a woman in a blue dress as she hugs the Earth.

Cosgrove will be beginning her senior year at Xavier College Prep High School. The Washington D.C. Winners Reception has been indefinitely postponed, but Cosgrove will travel to Washington D.C. to have her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol once a date is set by the Congressional Institute.

“Congratulations to Leah Cosgrove on being this year’s 2020 Congressional Art Competition winner,” Ruiz in a statement. “I look forward to showing off Leah’s extraordinary piece, “To Hug the Earth” in the United State Capitol next year. I am inspired by all of our high school students’ passion and creativity, and I want to thank the students who submitted their outstanding works for this year’s Congressional Art Competition.”

“Across the globe, everyone is struggling with this common enemy,” Cosgrove said in a prepared statement. “We are all residents of planet earth, and there are moments when we all need love. We are all fighting this plague together, as one. I have never been to the capital of my country, and I am deeply excited to have the opportunity to visit D.C. and see my piece on the wall of the U.S. Capitol Building.”

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved in this nationwide competition. You can see more about the Congressional Art Competition at Dr. Ruiz’s website here.

2020 Congressional Art Competition Winners for California’s 36th District

• 1st Place – Leah Cosgrove (Xavier College Prep High School)
• 2nd Place – Desiree Vasquez (Palo Verde High School)
• 3rd Place – Taylor Slagan (Palo Verde High School)

The second artwork receiving recognition was composed by Desiree Vasquez of Palo Verde High School. Desiree received second place for her hand-drawn artwork “Family Drawing” and will have her artwork displayed in Rep. Ruiz’s Washington D.C. office.

The third-place artwork was drawn by Taylor Slagan of Palo Verde High School. His art piece “Timelost Archer” will be displayed at the Palm Desert district office of Rep. Ruiz.

The office of Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. is proud to honor these artists and all high school students in the district that entered the 2020 Congressional Art Competition.

Any questions regarding future Congressional Art Competition Submissions, please contact Rep. Ruiz’s Office at 760-424-8888 or click here for more information.