Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio is seeking public assistance to help locate a young constituent's missing artwork that was lost during shipment to the U.S. Capitol and mysteriously ended up being sold at a yard sale in Kentucky for just one dollar. Hayley Chambers' winning entry for the Congressional Art Competition was shipped via UPS from Jordan's district office but never reached its intended destination at the Capitol building.
The painting, titled "All That Jazz," somehow made its way from Ohio to Pulaski County, Kentucky, where it was eventually sold at the popular East 80 Yard Sale after appearing at an online auction. Jordan described Hayley as "a real champion" and her mother, Traci Chambers, as "a mom on a mission" in their efforts to recover the lost artwork.
While a copy of the artwork is currently displayed in the tunnel connecting the Cannon House building to the Capitol, Jordan remains hopeful that the original painting will be found. He emphasized the significance of recovering the piece for Hayley, noting how difficult it must be for such a young woman to lose something so important to her. "The painting doesn't mean anything to anyone but Hayley," Chambers told reporters, explaining that her daughter created the winning entry during her senior year of high school, marking her third attempt at the competition.
The inspiration for "All That Jazz" came from a trip Hayley's marching band at Lima Catholic Central took to St. Louis in April 2024. Hayley, who played alto saxophone in the marching band and pep band, was also a member of the school's jazz band where she played tenor saxophone. "She painted this with her love of jazz and her love of art," her mother explained, adding that the painting and winning the competition was the highlight of her senior year. The night she won, people were already asking to purchase the painting once it returned from being displayed at the Capitol.
Hayley's artistic achievements extend beyond the Congressional Art Competition. She was named by their local art gallery, Art Space Lima, as one of "Art Space's 11 Women to Watch" in April 2024. She is now studying art education at Ohio Northern University and has started her own face-painting business with a friend.
The mystery of the painting's whereabouts was partially solved through the detective work of Chambers' friend, who conducted reverse image searches that turned up a match at Gallery 27 auction house in Burnside, Kentucky, on August 30. Unfortunately, they discovered this information too late – the piece was no longer at the auction house. "We were so close to getting the painting back, we just were a few weeks too late," Chambers shared.
According to Gallery 27 owner Nick Meece, the artwork likely arrived at his auction house through liquidation items, possibly from UPS when items are not effectively delivered. "We get truckloads of liquidation items," Meece explained, noting that such items could come from shipping companies like UPS. The painting was initially placed in an online auction but received no bids, so it was then grouped with other unsold items to avoid waste.
The lot containing the painting was purchased by Randy Allen, a Pulaski County resident living along Kentucky Route 1247 near Campground Road, who bought the items around August 10. Allen then placed the painting for sale at a yard sale, where it was purchased by an unidentified man and woman during the first weekend of September. The one-dollar price tag wasn't a reflection of the painting's perceived value – Allen simply prices all items at his sales for a dollar to keep things simple.
Despite the ongoing search for the original artwork, Hayley was able to visit the Capitol and showcase the copy of her painting. Her outstanding achievement award was signed by several prominent lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, as well as Representatives Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania and C. Scott Franklin of Florida.
Chambers praised Jordan's office for their wonderful assistance throughout this ordeal. Representative Hal Rogers of Kentucky, whose district includes Pulaski County, has also been helpful in trying to locate the missing painting. Chambers is offering a $200 reward for information leading to the painting's recovery and is asking anyone with information to contact either Jordan's or Rogers' offices. She can also be reached directly at her home phone number 419-222-1607, her cell phone at 419-235-2229, or via email at tracichambers2000@gmail.com. The search continues as the family hopes that increased public awareness will help bring Hayley's cherished artwork home.
