Arlington high school student’s artwork selected for display in U.S. Capitol

A student artist from Arlington’s Washington-Liberty High School will soon see her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Last week, Rep. Don Beyer announced that junior Kaya Vickers’ acrylic painting, “Museum Portal,” was selected from dozens of entries by Northern Virginia students in the 8th congressional district.

“Kaya Vickers’ ‘Museum Portal’ utilizes a one-point perspective to draw the viewer’s gaze into the serene museum space, evoking connection between the observer and the art,” Beyer said in a press release. “Once hung in the Capitol, I believe this painting will evoke strong introspection for visitors as they reflect on their own experiences and emotions with art. I extend my warmest congratulations to Kaya and the other amazing young artists who competed in the Congressional Art Competition.”

Vickers says her one-point perspective acrylic painting depicts “one’s experience in a museum,” per the release.

The piece, along with hundreds of others from congressional districts across the country, will be displayed in the Capitol for the next year.

Previous winners of the Congressional Art Competition include 2023 winner August Moon from the St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, 2022 winner William Zhang from Thomas Jefferson HSST in Alexandria and 2021 winner Charlie Williams from Wakefield High School.