Congressman Cliff Bentz announced on May 14 that Yi-jia Lu, also known as Lyra Lu, a junior at Burns High School, has been selected as the winner of Oregon’s Second District in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. Her artwork, titled “Still, She Rises,” was chosen from a record number of submissions and will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
The annual competition gives students an opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and emphasizes the importance of art education. Since its beginning in 1982, more than 700,000 high school students have participated nationwide.
Lu described her colored pencil piece by saying: “This colored pencil piece is about how freedom isn’t always loud or obvious. I wanted it to feel more quiet and personal, like something that exists inside someone instead of something far away. The face represents a person, and the Statue of Liberty comes out of it instead of being separate. To me, that shows how freedom isn’t just a symbol, it’s something people carry with them. The eagle and the buildings represent the country, but they’re less detailed because I wanted them to feel more like an idea than something fixed. With the U.S. celebrating another year of independence, I thought about how patriotism isn’t’ the same for everyone. For some people it’s loud and proud, but for others it’s more quiet and personal. As the image fades out to the right, it shows how freedom can feel unclear or change over time, but it’s still something that is always there.”
Bentz said: “I congratulate Yi-jia on her achievement. I look forward to seeing Still, She Rises during the up-coming year, as I, along with my 434 congressional colleagues walk to and from the House Chamber to vote and debate national issues. I thank her for her incredible work. Congratulations!”
In addition to announcing Lu’s win at the district level, Bentz named three regional winners whose artwork will be displayed in his offices located in Medford; Ontario; or Washington D.C.: ‘The Pillars that Built a Nation’ (Phoenix High School), ‘To My Great-Grandfather May He Rest’ (Phoenix High School), and ‘Two Promises’ (Crater High School). Bentz thanked those who volunteered as judges this year by saying: “Thank you to the judges who volunteered their time and expertise to our district’s art competition,” Bentz said. “They helped make this year’s competition a success.”
Cliff Bentz is currently serving in Congress representing Oregon’s Second District after replacing Greg Walden in 2021; he previously served in both chambers of Oregon’s state legislature according to Rep. Cliff Bentz’s office.
