ROCHESTER, MN – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) announced his selection of “Sparkling Sunset” by Ava Siok, as the winner of this year’s First District Congressional Art Competition.

Ava is a senior at Winona Senior High School. The winner from each congressional district will receive two roundtrip tickets to Washington, D.C., compliments of Southwest Airlines, to attend the official ceremony later this year honoring the Congressional Art Competition winners from across the country. Ava’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year, representing Minnesota’s First District.

First Place – “Sparkling Sunset” by Ava Siok

Artist’s Description: “This art piece is a painting of a beautiful sunset landscape over the bluffs. The piece includes two ducks swimming in the water. I created this piece because it reminds me of my beautiful hometown of Winona, MN. I added a sparkling effect to the water and to the sun. I decided to take a more abstract approach than a realistic one, which allowed me to use my creativity and gave me a result I was happy with.”