The winning piece, ‘The Beauty of the Middle Place’ by Nicky Yuselew-King, a 10th-grade student at Zuni High School. Courtesy photo

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez announcing that Zuni High School 10th-grader Nicky Yuselew-King is the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District. Courtesy photo

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) announced the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District: Nicky Yuselew-King, a 10th-grade student at Zuni High School. Her winning piece, titled “The Beauty of the Middle Place”, earned first place among all submissions from across the district. 

“Nicky’s artwork is a strong reflection of the talent, creativity, and unique beauty of our district,” Rep. Vasquez said. “I’m proud to have her work represent our district and Zuni Pueblo in the U.S. Capitol, where visitors and lawmakers from across the country will get to see the stories and spirit of New Mexico on display.”

Yuselew-King’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year alongside winning entries from congressional districts across the country. As part of the national competition, she will also be invited to attend a special reception in Washington, D.C., this June to celebrate student artists and their contributions.

The annual Congressional Art Competition, established in 1982, offers high school students the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and highlights the importance of arts education. This year’s submissions reflected the diverse cultures, landscapes, and communities of southern New Mexico.