Gulf Breeze High School student Haley Barrett on May 4 won first place in the 2019 Congressional Art Competition for her piece entitled “Blackwater Dryad.”
The annual art competition took place at the Mattie Kelly Art Center on Northwest Florida State College’s campus in Niceville, and she was presented the honor by U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz.
Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by members of the U.S. House of Representatives and students from across Florida’s First Congressional District showcase their artwork at the competition, competing to have their talents displayed in Washington, D.C.
A panel of local art professionals judged the competition, and the winning artwork will now be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from participating districts across the country, per Gaetz’s office.
“They are flying her (us) to Washington for the induction of her art work, said Mom Kristine Barrett. “We are beyond proud, excited and amazed at her talent.”
