The Byrne Gallery Owners Judge Congressional Art Competition

Written by Emerson Leger

The 2025 Congressional Art Competition took place Friday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. Susan and Bill Byrne, owners of The Byrne Gallery, were among the judges. They convened at the George Washington University campus in Ashburn to assess over 100 pieces from high school students across the district. 

“It was nice exposure for the kids and very expressive of the feelings young people have growing up in high school,” Susan Byrne says. 

There were three other judges along with the Byrnes. Monica Harrer, a constituent services representative, organized the artwork submissions and first contacted the Byrnes about getting involved. Each judge was supposed to pick just one work for each category. 

“We did not think that was a good idea, since the children put a lot of heart and soul” into it, Susan Byrne explains. “So we expanded it.”

For a select few artworks, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam introduced “Rep. Subramanyam’s Favorites.” These will be displayed in his Capitol Hill office for a year. “Growing Up,” a piece by Nona Behan from Briar Woods High School, was among the selected artworks. Susan Byrne says it reminded Subramanyam of his house.  

“The art pieces from this year’s Congressional Art Competition are a testament to the rich talent and creativity of our students in the Commonwealth,” he says. “I brought several of the pieces with me to my Washington, D.C., office, where they are proudly displayed and admired by the constituents I meet with daily.”

The artwork named Best in Show was “Price of Progress,” a piece by Yazheny Jothiramalingam of Rock Ridge High School.

“It was a delightful experience,” Susan Byrne shares. 

Posted on: August 7, 2025