U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA 19) held a reception at Turlock’s Carnegie Arts Center Tuesday in honor of students who competed in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition.

Each spring, the nationwide art competition selects the best work from talented student artists to display in the Cannon Tunnel, leading to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Each congressman or woman may select a piece to hang.

“It’s an honor for me, because I get to display the art in the Capitol,” Denham said.

Winner Gabriella Santellano, of Hoover High School in Fresno, will have her artwork “Light” displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Second place winner Elora Hargis third place finisher Stefani Peck, and runner-up Katharine Barisic, all of Fresno Christian High School, received Certificates of Congressional Recognition and had their work hung in the Carnegie Arts Center lobby alongside other entries.

The winners were selected by local artists Alice Richards and Kathleen Pethoud, and the Carnegie Arts Center Deputy Director Lisa McDermott.