Cole Congratulates 2025 OK-04 Congressional Art Competition Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165
Oklahoma – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Oklahoma’s Fourth District:
Lillian Dai of Norman, Oklahoma has been named the first-place winner. Dai attends Norman North High School and studies art under her teacher, Sheila Hunter. For the Congressional Art Competition, Dai submitted a piece titled “Outside World,” which is a colored pencil drawing of a girl troubled by her mundane responsibilities and reminded of her own exhaustion merely by the things in her room. The drawing will be brought to Washington, D.C. and hang in the United States Capitol Building for an entire year.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Lillian on being selected as the Fourth District’s overall winner for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman Cole. “Her colored pencil drawing is unique, intriguing, and very colorful. It is clear that Lillian is very talented, and I am sure she has a bright future in the arts ahead of her.”
When asked about her artwork, Dai said, “My artwork for the Congressional Art Competition is inspired by the common emotions and feelings that both I and my peers at high school typically feel as we take on harder classes and have increased responsibilities. It is not uncommon for us to spend late nights working. Exhaustion mingles with imagination, as we dream of a new environment or situation that will allow us a break. The indigo shadows envelop her form, reminding her of the work she needs to put in to accomplish her dreams, but for a moment the illumination of the fantastical scenery in her cup gives her the chance to daydream the world outside her room.”
“Lillian has made significant strides in the art world during her high school career. This year, she garnered notable recognition by winning two silver keys, a gold key, and a gold medal for her exceptional drawings in the Scholastic Art and Writing competition. In addition to her recent achievements, Lillian secured second place in last year’s Congressional Art competition and is proud to represent Oklahoma's 4th district this year. As her mentor, I have thoroughly enjoyed assisting Lillian in preparing for various art competitions and exhibitions. She shows a remarkable understanding of composition and color; her colored pencil pieces take many dedicated hours to complete. I eagerly anticipate her continued growth as an artist in her upcoming senior year,” said Hunter, Norman North High School Art Teacher.
In addition to naming Lillian the winner, two runner-up winners were named through a “People’s Choice” contest online, which was conducted through Congressman Cole’s social media channels and website with votes collected over the course of a week. Out of the 1,112 votes cast, artwork by Katelyn Estes and Emily Shields received the most. Both students’ artwork will be displayed in Congressman Cole’s Oklahoma office for the next year.
“Every year, so many accomplished high school students from across the Fourth District submit beautiful pieces of artwork to my office for consideration for the Congressional Art Competition. While only one piece can make its way to D.C., I think it is only right to recognize the other gifted artists by holding the People’s Choice competition. Congratulations to Katelyn and Emily for being selected as this year’s second and third-place winners. I am excited to have their beautiful art hanging in my Oklahoma office for the next year,” said Congressman Cole.
Katelyn Estes, the second-place winner, resides in Stratford, Oklahoma and attends Stratford High School, where she studies art under her teacher, Shea Meyer. For the contest, she submitted a piece titled “All Sass, All Heart,” which is a pencil drawing of a barrel horse turning around barrel with the rider partly visible.
“This drawing was inspired by my barrel horse, Jaz. She gives everything she has every time we race, and I wanted to reflect that in this piece – along with the bold, sassy personality that makes her who she is. That’s why I titled it All Sass, All Heart – Jaz,” said Estes.
“Katelyn is a great student. She works hard and takes any advice that I give to her and applies it to her work. She not only works in class, but she works on projects at home, especially when she is trying to get something done for a show or contest. I wish I had a class full of students like her. I am very proud of all she has accomplished so far, and I look forward to what she will do in the future,” said Meyer, Stratford High School Art Teacher.
Emily Shields of Purcell, Oklahoma is the third-place winner. She attends Purcell High School, where she studies art under her teacher, Jon Corea. For the Congressional Art Competition, Shields submitted artwork titled “Before the Storm,” which is an acrylic painting of a wild stallion observing the “calm before the storm” sunset in the Wichita Mountains while standing in a valley of Indian Paintbrushes.
When asked about her artwork, Shields said, “I was inspired by all of the incredible western paintings I see with the massive, golden storm clouds on the horizon. Those paintings always invoke such a sense of foreboding in me while also being breathtaking. I also wanted to include a homage to Oklahoma and my mother who loves Indian Paintbrushes. Overall, this painting was one of the first I have encouraged myself to see through to the end, and I am pleasantly satisfied with the results.”
“Emily is a remarkably talented and driven young artist. Her dedication to her craft is evident in the intense focus she brings to each piece she creates. Whether she's working with bold colors, intricate details, or exploring new techniques, Emily consistently produces work that is thoughtful, expressive, and technically strong. Her creativity and commitment to improvement have always impressed me, and I continue to be amazed by the quality and originality of her artwork,” said Corea, Purcell High School Art Teacher.
For information on the Congressional Art Competition, click here.
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