Mount Pleasant High School (MPHS) senior Brianne Davis received Honorable Mention at the TX01 District Congressional Art Contest held on Sunday, December 10, at The Michelson Museum in Marshall. The contest, now in its 41st year, is a nationwide art competition for high school students. Davis's piece, titled "Happy," depicting her and her mother, Rachel Barkley, was among the six recognized out of 36 entries.
The Congressional Art Contest requires students to submit entries to their representative’s office, with winning entries selected by panels of district artists. Mount Pleasant is part of the 1st Congressional District of Texas, represented by Congressman Nathaniel Moran, covering 17 counties in the state’s northeast corner.
First-place pieces from each section are displayed at the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon Tunnel for one year. The tunnel serves as a highly traversed access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol, attracting Members of Congress, distinguished visitors, and thousands of tourists daily.
MPHS art teacher Laura Kirkland congratulated Davis for her Honorable Mention and expressed gratitude to Congressman Nathaniel Moran for hosting the event. Kirkland also thanked Chelsea Payne and organizers, as well as contributors for the prizes. Brianne Davis, daughter of Drew and Rachel Barkley, has been part of the MPHS art program for two years.
