Fridley, Columbia Heights Students Honored in Congressional Art Competition

Two local students were honored for their artworks in Minneapolis Monday as part of the Congressional Art Competition.

Christina Wilda of Columbia Heights High School and Tawney Smart of , both seniors, placed in a competition among student artists from schools in Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District, according to an announcement from the office of U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN). 

Wilda tied for second place with Devin Aadland of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, and Smart won third-place honors. Artwork by first-place winner Claire Drysdale of Breck School will be part of a display at the U.S. Capitol.

Thirty-six students from 15 high schools participated in the Fifth District competition.

“The arts are the heart and soul of our culture. And a strong commitment to arts education is essential to the future success of our nation. Studies show that students who participate in the arts perform stronger academically, think more critically, and become more successful employees,” Ellison said, according to the announcement. “Every year, I am impressed by the students’ talent and dedication.”