Larson Announces 2023 Congressional Art Competition Winner

East Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced Glastonbury High School senior Alex Xu as the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition for Connecticut’s First District, for her self-portrait, Ducktaglia IRL.

“Congratulations to Alex and all of the students who participated in this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Larson. “My team and I were impressed by the talent displayed by students across the District, especially Alex’s self-portrait. I look forward to welcoming her and her parents to the Capitol to celebrate her artwork.”  

"This is a self-portrait with ‘Ducktaglia,’ a stuffed animal that has been with me for a long time. I am honored and excited to have my work chosen for this exhibition as it is so highly personal,” said 2023 Congressional Art Competition Winner Alex Xu. 

"Alex is a special personality with loads of talent and humor. I am so proud of both her tenacity in learning technical skills and the flexibility and resilience she has developed in the process. She is a joy to teach," said Glastonbury High School Art Teacher Sandra Gustafson. 

Alex’s self-portrait will be on display at the U.S. Capitol. She will visit Washington, D.C., later this year to participate in an exhibition with the Art Competition winners from each Congressional District across the country.