Press Releases

Washington, DC— Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-07) announced the winners of this year’s Seventh Congressional District Art Competition.  The competition, which was open to all high school students in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, offers the winning participant the opportunity to have his or her artwork placed on display in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. for one year and will be recognized in the district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC.

“The Seventh Congressional District is blessed to have so many talented and gifted students,” said Rep. Sewell.  “I am impressed with all of the artwork that was submitted.  Each of the entries was well done, and with so many great pieces of art, the judges had difficult decisions to make.”

Students submitted over 35 pieces of artwork to this year’s competition. The competition was divided into three regions. Jefferson County Schools were in Region One. Tuscaloosa, Pickens, Greene, Hale, Perry and Sumter Counties were in Region Two. Dallas, Wilcox, Clarke, Marengo and Choctaw Counties were in Region Three. In round one of judging, a panel of community leaders in each region selected the top three entries.  In the second round, the top three pieces from each region competed to win first, second and third places in the competition.

The 2011 winner of the Seventh Congressional District Art Competition is Rashia Martin, a senior at Paul Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa.  Her winning piece is entitled “Carnival.

As the first place winner, Martin will receive two round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Congressional Art Competition Reception, will have her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and will be eligible for a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA. 

Second place was awarded to Dewon Moton, a senior at Erwin High School in Center Point for his piece, “Passover.”  Michaela Williams, a freshman at Paul Bryant High School and Craton Bush, a senior at McAdory High School in McCalla tied for third place for their works entitled “Thinking Woman” and “Bayside Sunday” respectively. 

Several students received regional awards for their artwork, including: Alexis Breeding of Erwin High School, Andrew D’Avignon of Northside High School, Christina Burroughs of Thomasville High School, Kelsey Guy of Jackson High School and Justin Glover of Choctaw High School.

The participants of the art competition will be honored at a reception on Sunday, June 12, at 5 p.m. at The Ward Building Atrium on Lawson State Community College’s Birmingham West Campus.

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Contact:   Allison Abney; (202) 225-2665;  Allison.abney@mail.house.gov