Marin student photo wins top congressional award
A Marin high school student’s photograph of a foggy Mount Tamalpais dappled with rays from the setting sun won the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for the 2nd District of California.
The photo, by Joel Kurtzman of Redwood High School in Larkspur, will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for a year, said U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, who represents the district.
“Joel’s photograph beautifully captures a landscape that is familiar and meaningful to many North Coast residents,” said Huffman, a San Rafael resident. “Congratulations to Joel on this accomplishment and thank you to all of the students who shared their incredible work with us.”
Huffman said the photo, titled “Golden Hour Fog,” will be preserved in the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule. The capsule includes contributions from all 50 states and U.S. territories commemorating the country’s 250th anniversary.
“One thing that still amazes me is that when I was up on Mount Tam that evening taking photos, I never imagined I w…