Larson Announces Winner of 2025 Congressional Art Competition

“I want to congratulate Kalina on her incredible accomplishment,” said Larson. “It was an honor to welcome her and her proud family to our nation’s capital, as we celebrate Art Competition winners from across the country. Kalina shared with me her passion for art, which is so clearly evident in her painting, Sisters Stand. I look forward to seeing her artwork on display for the nation at the U.S. Capitol over the next year.” 

"I am incredibly proud of Kalina Lawrence-Clais for winning the Congressional Art Competition, representing Connecticut. Her talent, vision, and dedication to her craft are truly inspiring. It's a remarkable achievement to have her work recognized at this level, and I can't wait to see her art displayed in our nation's capital. She represents the very best of what young artists can achieve, and I know this is only the beginning of many great things to come,” said CIBA Art Teacher Suzanne Kent. 

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“Attending the Congressional Art Contest not only made me represent my culture but also my school, my town, and my district,” said  CIBA sophomore Kalina Lawrence-Clais. “Never would I have thought that I was able to be where I was then, yet through the encouragement of my peers, family, and teachers, I was able to muster up the strength and submit an art piece that I thought stood out best to me. I also didn't think of the idea of when I won, just how much I would be appreciated for my efforts. The entire experience felt grounding and exciting. I was able to visit places in the Capitol I thought I would never see and meet kind people I thought I would never meet. Not only that, but I also felt the need to be more involved in our government, seeing how despite the seemingly overwhelming workload presented to politicians, the simple interactions between each other encourages a positive environment within the Capitol. I am excited to share this experience with not only my friends who share similar aspirations into making the world a better place, but also with the youth who also express themselves artistically. Overall, the Congressional Art Competition speaks volumes to those who are afraid to show themselves to the world but also feel the slight confidence to express themselves.” 

As the winner of the Congressional Art Competition for Connecticut’s First District, Rep. Larson welcomed Kalina and her family to Washington, D.C. to celebrate her accomplishment and meet with other winners from across the country. Her artwork, Sisters Stand, will be on display at the U.S. Capitol for the next year.