Every year the Courting Art Baltimore Contest for Baltimore City high school students has been growing since they started four years ago.
For 2019, 55 students entered the contest, nearly double compared to 2018.
And on Wednesday night, 19 students were showcased for being finalists and their artwork was displayed in the Eastside District Court building.
District Court Judge Halee Weinstein said the artwork makes the courthouse more welcoming for everyone who has to come inside.
This year's theme is uplifting Baltimore.
Judge Weinstein said there was one piece of art work that perfectly fit the mold. It's a drawing done by Nicole Simmons that shows row homes being held in two hands.
"It made me feel that we were going to be safe in Baltimore. That we're going to be taken care of. That we're going to do a better job in educating and taking care of our children," said Judge Weinstein.
Simmons received $7,500 in scholarship money and a scholarship for MICA's summer arts program. The second place winner, Lily Pretyl, received the same MICA scholarship and $5,000 in scholarship money. Another $7,500 was split between the third, fourth and fifth place winners, totaling $20,000 in scholarship money for students.
"It's really important, I think, to talk about college and to help kids from Baltimore public high schools to get to college," said Judge Weinstein. "Baltimore is going through a lot of difficult times, and I want everyone to know we have some wonderful talented kids, and this is a way to showcase them."
