Birmingham, AL – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced the winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for Alabama's 7th Congressional District. The announcement was made at a virtual reception held last Thursday night during which Sewell joined participants to celebrate the 91 entries submitted by talented students from across the district. Madison Barrentine, a 12th grader at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, was awarded first place for her submission entitled "Pratt City Cemetery."

“We in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District are blessed to have so many outstanding young artists!” said Rep. Sewell. “Once again, I was completely amazed by all 91 submissions, and I am so proud of every student who participated this year.”

“Congratulations to our first place winner, Madison Barrentine, who did a wonderful job capturing our theme, ‘Alabama Story Makers,’” continued Sewell. “I look forward to welcoming her to Washington and showcasing her artwork in the U.S. Capitol this year!”

“It’s an honor to have this piece represent my city and district,” said Madison Barrentine. “I’m excited to have a piece so closely connected to Birmingham and my own experiences traveling and speaking in a location so prevalent to this country such as the capitol. The significance of work changes as it’s introduced to different locations, different people, histories, and understandings. I’m grateful to send these stories rooted in Alabama to be felt elsewhere.”

Barrentine’s artwork will be matted, framed, and displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. for one year. She and a guardian will receive roundtrip airfare to Washington D.C. to attend the National Congressional Art Competition Reception.

The other students that placed were: 

• 2nd Place - “Oliver Cotton Gin” by Kennedy Rose Kimbrough, 12th grader at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Alabama
• 3rd Place - “Rosa” by Onda McNight, 9th grader at the Capitol School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Honorable Mention - “First White House of the Confederacy” by Emma Hutto, 9th grader at Jackson Academy in Jackson, Alabama
• Honorable Mention - “Untitled” by Jazzlynn Carnethon at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Honorable Mention - “Rise of Cotton” by Rayne Moore, 12th grader at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Honorable Mention - “George Washington Carver” by Kevin Beamon, 9th grader at Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School in Montgomery, Alabama

More information on the Congressional Art Competition is available here.