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Congressman Cohen Congratulates Sydney Charles as This Year’s 9th Congressional District Arts Competition Winner

June 15, 2021

East T-STEM Academy 10th grader’s drawing will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that Sydney Charles, a 10th grader at East T-STEM Academy High School, has won this year's Congressional Art Competition in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District. Her "Ground Control to Major Tom" portrait of a boy in an astronaut suit, will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year along with winners of the competition representing other congressional districts.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I congratulate Sydney Charles for a poignant portrait with an intriguing title inspired by a David Bowie song. I look forward to seeing it hanging in the U.S. Capitol where lawmakers and tens of thousands of others will see and admire her artistic talent.

"I also want to commend Sydney's parents, Alison and Lucas Charles, and art teacher Billy Flowers, on this achievement."

See attached image.

Each Spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

Students submit entries to their representative's office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their districts and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.