WASHINGTON, DC (WIS) -
The Capitol building in Washington, DC is often painted as the nation's political centerpiece, but for 17-year-old Ethel Canty from Clarendon County, it's now an art gallery.
"This is my winning piece," Canty said, admiring her self-portrait.
Canty is seeing her art inside Capitol Hill for the first time. It's her masterpiece, sketched and designed precisely.
"It took about 3 days," Canty said. "I think I did a pretty good job on it."
The portrait hangs in Cannon Tunnel, a hallway between the House of Representatives office and the Capitol building.
"A lot of people get to see it and stuff," Canty said.
An estimated three million people visit the Capitol each year and many of those eyes are focused on Canty's work.
Canty represents 400 students from across the nation, including five others from our state, who won the Congressional Art Competition -- an organization that recognizes and encourages artistic talent from a high schooler in each Congressional district.
Mark Strand is the president of the group.
"Her kind of talent really excites me about young people today," Strand said. "I get to see this, and I'm very encouraged."
The winners shared that excitement as they toured the Capitol, took group photos, and met with their member of Congress. Canty was chosen from Congressman James Clyburn's 6th District.
Clyburn was impressed with her work. "I thought it was a winning piece when I saw it," he said.
Clyburn says Canty's piece caught his attention immediately. He encouraged her to keep painting.
"Never give up on your dreams," Clyburn said. "I know sometimes when you express them people tend to feel those dreams are out of your grasp, but I'm living proof you can fulfill those dreams and aspirations."
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