Durham High School Student's Artwork to Hang in U.S. Capitol

In a community known for its creative class is it any surprise that that talent pool extends to Durham's school system? For the next year, one Durham high school student's artwork will represent the Bull City in our nation's Capitol.

Rep. David Price with Brandon James

Brandon James, a student at Durham's Southern High School, was selected as the winner of the Congressional High School Art Competition. His first place winning artwork will hang with artwork from around the country in the U.S. Capitol.

The Congressional High School Art Competition is an annual competition organized by representatives of the Congressional Districts, and is open to paintings, drawings, photographs and prints. Each representative brings a winning entry back to Washington, D.C. to be displayed in the corridor of the U.S. Capital.

This competition is coordinated locally through Fourth District U.S. Representative David Price's office, with support from the Durham Arts Council, the Orange County Arts Commission, and the United Arts Council of Wake County and Raleigh. 57 fantastic works of art were submitted by 44 students from Orange, Durham, Wake, and Chatham counties.

Brandon James was announced as the winner by Congressman David Price at an awards reception held at the Durham Arts Council. Students, their families, teachers, school representatives, and Dr. Becoats, Durham County School Superintendent, were all in attendance.

All student participants received gifts and a savings bond. As the overall winner, Brandon James will flown to an opening reception in Washington, D.C.

Surely Brandon James, his art teacher and Southern High School feel proud for helping make Durham a place where great art happens.