Oak Mountain Elementary student wins grand prize in Helen Keller Art Show |

Rachel Hyche, a 2nd grader from Oak Mountain Elementary School, has been awarded Grand Prize for first place in the Helen Keller Art Show. The Helen Keller Art Show is an annual show for Alabama students who are visually impaired, blind, or deaf-blind. The show is open to students of all ages in the public, private, residential and home schools, providing them an opportunity to showcase special talents and abilities. The artwork is unique with emphasis on creativity, color and tactile media. During the year the art work is exhibited in various venues including the state capital.

The award Rachel received is the Patty Johnson Award. This award is selected by the Helen Keller Festival Board each year and her piece will be displayed in Tuscumbia in a permanent gallery. The award is dedicated to Helen Keller's niece, Patty Johnson who continued the legacy of recognizing the success of students who are blind or visually impaired.

Rachel's piece was titled "CopperTree" and was a multisensory piece using watercolors, copper wire of various lengths and colors, and copper sheeting cut outs.

"I enjoyed working on this art piece very much. The leaves were hard to make,” said Rachel. “My favorite thing about this art was painting. I like to paint."

As the winner of this prestigious award, Rachel is invited to Tuscumbia to stay and participate for the duration of the Festival. She will ride in the Festival Parade in a car designated just for her in the Grand Marshall portion of the parade. She will also be interviewed at the Helen Keller homestead, open the Helen Keller play, and be presented onstage at the festival’s opening ceremonies.