Hoyer Announces Winner of the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) announced the winner of the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition (CAC). Cynclair Wilson, a junior at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Charles County, won the competition with her piece titled “Ancestral Wisdom.”
Cynclair Wilson's winning piece, "Ancestral Wisdom"
"Congratulations to Cynclair Wilson on winning the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman Hoyer. "Her artwork is profoundly moving and heartfelt, and I am inspired by her ability to produce a work of art that is both skillful and deeply emotional to behold. I look forward to viewing her thought-provoking piece in the Capitol complex this year.”
"Iam deeply honored and humbled to receive this award for my piece Ancestral Wisdom in the Congressional Art Competition. This work is profoundly personal to me—it is a reflection of my identity as an African American woman, a tribute to the strength and pride of the ancestors who paved the way, and a visual echo of the struggles they endured so that I could stand here today. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this story, and I accept this recognition not only in celebration of the past, but also with hope for the future. Thank you for seeing me, and for honoring the legacy that lives through this art,” said Cynclair Wilson.
Cynclair Wilson lives in Charles County, Maryland. Her artwork, titled “Ancestral Wisdom,” was created using gouache paint and illustrates a depiction of a young girl with the hands of her ancestors on her shoulders. Behind her are representations of traumas of the past her ancestors have endured. The hands seem to be imparting their wisdom into her so that she can face the future with the lessons and experiences they have gained.
“I am also thrilled to congratulate our other top placement winners,” continued Congressman Hoyer. “Each piece of artwork demonstrated great skill, and I was extremely impressed by the creations. These submissions further highlight the outstanding talent of young people in Maryland’s Fifth District. I congratulate every student who participated in the 2025 competition. I want to especially thank the members of the art jury who took great care to carefully evaluate each piece and determine our 2025 winner. This was no easy feat with such a talented group of young Marylanders.”
2nd Place – Natalie Grosek; Calvert High School in Calvert County; "The Journey: Power and Hardships."
3rd Place – Kendall Nosich; Homeschool in Charles County; "Work In Progress," Acrylic on Canvas.
4th Place – Ryan Hatch; Leonardtown High School in St. Mary's County; "Internal Hardware," Acrylic, Charcoal on Paper, Clear Vinyl (2023 CAC Winner).
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Lauren Little; South River High School in Anne Arundel County; "Grammy's Front Yard," Oil on Canvas.
Aspen Ellerbe; Leonardtown High School in St. Mary's County; "Florilegium: To Gather a Bouquet of Sweet Literary Blossoms."