Tuscaloosa, AL – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced the winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for Alabama's 7th Congressional District. The announcement was made at a virtual reception held Wednesday night during which Sewell joined participants to celebrate the 58 entries submitted by talented students from across the 7th District. Perri Payne, an 11th grader at Paul W. Bryant High School in Cottondale, was awarded first place for her submission entitled "A Glimpse Into the Future."

“Every year, I am amazed by the incredible talent of our students here in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, and this year is no exception!” said Rep. Sewell. “Congratulations to our first place winner, Perri Payne, who did a wonderful job capturing our theme, ‘Reimagine Alabama.’ Her piece speaks to the power of young people to change the future of our state. I am so proud of Perri and all of the talented young artists who participated.”

“I feel like this piece represents how I felt as a Black girl growing up in Alabama and how I imagined it,” said First Place Winner Perri Payne. “I protested it by drawing a young Black girl with Alabama in her palms to represent how Alabama is in the hands of the next generation and what we do now represents the future.”

“I am incredibly proud of Perri,” said Ms. Olivia Williams, Art Teacher at Paul W. Bryant High School. “She has grown so much as an artist in the two years I have been fortunate enough to have her in my class. Her ability to create work that is meaningful, personal, and skillfully executed is beyond her years. She has so much natural talent and it’s been an honor to help her find a voice in her work. I hope she understands how big of an accomplishment this is, and that she feels encouraged and supported in everything she does in her future.”

Payne’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 - “Southern Roots” by Onda McKnight, 8th grader at the Capitol School in Tuscaloosa
• 3rd Place - “Serenity” by Isabella Dennison, 11th grader at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery
• Honorable Mention - “The City Through My Eyes” by Laila Gray, 11th grader at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa

More information on the Congressional Art Competition is available here.