Two Masterman Students to Have Work Displayed at the US Capitol Building!

Congrats to 11th grader Hannah Phun, who's art was selected by Congress member Brendan Boyle to be displayed in the US Capitol Building for an entire year for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition!

This is a HUGE honor, and we are so proud of her. Hannah also won the "America 250" award. Here is the description of her painting: This painting depicts a founding father writing at his desk. Pinned to his wall is the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Now that the United States has been liberated, what are the next steps? On his shelf lies books that describe present America. "Liberty," "Independence," "Pride," ideals this father hopes to achieve when drafting a document that could be foundational for generations ahead. Beyond his window lies a section of that nation 250 years later. A nation that he and many other founding fathers hoped to achieve: An independent, democratic, diverse land.

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Congrats to 12th grader Taylor Samara-Reuter for ALSO being selected for the US Congressional Art Competition. Congress member Brendan Boyle also selected her painting "Grumblethorpe" to be displayed in the Capitol Building.

​This is one of the most competitive art competitions in the USA, and we are so proud!! Here is her artist statement: “Grumblethorpe” was inspired by the historical house of Grumblethorpe in Germantown, Philadelphia. It depicts the view of the house from the garden in the back, where the artist has been volunteering for four years to help feed the community through freshly harvested produce. This painting captures the vibrancy of the foliage enveloping the house and the magic of having a garden hidden within an urban neighborhood, shown through the surreal
purple and teal sky. Intricate detail work on every textured surface, from leaves to bricks, draws the eye to explore the scene in the same way you can physically explore the garden. This work is part of a series exploring the emotional connection between the artist and various places she’s been.