L-R: Valerie Espinoza, Santa Fe County Clerk; Natasha Martinez, Southwest Airlines; Tomoko Bahrs, 2008 Congressional Arts Competition Winner; David Coss, Mayor of Santa Fe; Jill Cooper Udall, on behalf of her husband, U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M.

Representative Tom Udall, D-N.M., today announced that Tomoko Bahrs, a high school senior from Tucumcari, has won this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Her winning piece, entitled “New Mexico: Times Change with the Wind,” will be shown in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Bahrs has been invited to Washington, D.C., in June to be honored at an event with winning artists from all over the country; her airfare will be provided. She will also receive a $5,000 scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Due to the success of this year’s show, the Chuck Jones Gallery is asking all 100 contestants to submit a portfolio. Select students will be invited by the Gallery to participate in an art show. Those students will also be invited to Warehouse 21 in Santa Fe to reproduce their works for poster and print sales.

“Tomoko’s work is a perfect example of what the Congressional Arts Competition is meant to promote,” said Udall. “It provides viewers with a slice of New Mexico life, and it does so beautifully. I want to congratulate Tomoko and all of the artists who participated in this year’s competition.”