Paul W. Bryant High School Student Earns National Congressional Art Honor

Eden Smith, a student at Paul W. Bryant High School, is receiving national recognition after capturing the top honor in the Congressional Art Competition, a prestigious award presented to one student artist from each U.S. congressional district.

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This week, Smith will travel to Washington, D.C., for a special Congressional Art Competition celebration at the U.S. Capitol on June 25. The rising 10^th grader’s award-winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the Capitol's Cannon Tunnel, viewed daily by thousands of visitors, lawmakers, and staff members.

"Eden's achievement is a powerful example of talent, dedication, and creative passion," said Dr. Jeffrey Schultz, Coordinator of Fine Arts for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. "Having her artwork displayed in the United States Capitol is an extraordinary honor, and we are incredibly proud of the way she is representing her school, her community, and Alabama on a national stage."

Smith’s achievement comes with several benefits, including two round-trip airline tickets, transportation during her visit, an awards ceremony, and the opportunity to secure an official copyright of her artwork.
Her “artistic talents have been evident from an early age. She began drawing at age 4 and has continued developing her skills throughout her academic career. After moving to Tuscaloosa from Mississippi in January 2022, she completed fifth grade at Arcadia Elementary School, where she illustrated and donated a children's book to the school before moving on to Eastwood Middle School,” said the press release. “Today, Smith is a student in Bryant High School's Visual Arts program and is also an active member of the school's band.”
Click here for more information about the Congressional Art Competition.