Student’s Art to Hang in U.S. Capitol

Published April 28, 2016

For the second year in a row, a Brentwood High School student has won the Congressional Art Award.

Junior Allison Connor will travel to Washington, D.C. this summer to see her portrait of Sitting Bull in the U.S. Capitol Building, where it will stay for a year. According to Allison, the artwork was inspired by her father’s love for history.

“I grew up in a household where my parents, especially my dad, endorsed American history,” said Allison. “My dad always encouraged us to honor the depth of these roots our country has, and I decided to take my ‘American Idealism’ prompt from my art teacher to this level. I wanted to capture the pain and strength within Sitting Bull’s eyes as well as portray my respect and admiration for this rich culture of American past.”

When Allison submitted her portrait for the Congressional Art Award, she was not expecting it to be chosen as the winner.

“I feel so honored to win this award and to fly to Washington to accept it,” said Allison. “Knowing many excellent art pieces were submitted, I am humbled that mine has been chosen to represent our district in D.C. I am also grateful for all the support and skills I have accumulated over the course of being an art student and hope this award is a token for those people’s achievement as well as my own.”

Brentwood High graduate Josie Dowds won the award last year as a senior. Both students were instructed by BHS Art Teacher Heather McHugh.