Shady Side Academy sophomore Maria Schwendeman was one of nine winners of Pittsburgh International Airport's first-ever student artwork contest, and her winning work is now on display as part of the airport's Student Art Exhibit.

In the contest, students ages 6-18 were asked to submit original artwork in response of the theme "Nobody Owns the Sky," the title of a children's book about Bessie Coleman, who became the first African-American licensed aviator in 1921. The submissions were judged by members of the Art in the Airport Advisory Committee and airport staff, who chose three winners each in three different age categories. The winning works are now displayed digitally throughout the airport's terminals and on the website FlyPittsburgh.com. The students also will go through a virtual masterclass with Pittsburgh artist Cheryl Capezzuti.

Schwendeman's winning piece is entitled "The Sky Is Not the Limit" and features a trio of drawings of Bessie Coleman's face (see below).

Pittsburgh International Airport's Art in the Airport program is dedicated to showcasing a dynamic array of work produced by local, regional, national and international artists.

Congratulations, Maria!