Pekin senior’s painting to be displayed in DC

PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) — A Pekin high schooler’s painting is making a trip to the nation’s capitol after winning an art competition.

According to Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Pekin Community High School senior Rachel Fry won the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for the 17th District. The art was selected by local leaders in the district.

Her winning piece, called Clownish Tomfoolery, will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol Building for a year.

“Young people across Central and Northwestern Illinois are going to be the key to ensuring our neighborhoods are prosperous for generations to come,” Sorensen said. “It is an honor to host this competition that celebrates the amazing artistic abilities of our high school students. It is my hope that these competitions inspire more students to pursue their passions.” 

The competition began in 1982 and has displayed more than 650,000 pieces of art from high schoolers across the U.S.