Andalusia High School senior Zoe Birk was recently honored for her artistic talent.

The Layman Group, which is a multi-disciplinary non-profit arts group based in Auburn, recently named Birk the overall winner of the first-ever Pose Awards.

Birk was described on the Layman Group’s Web site as “an authentic perspective on creativity and a smorgasbord of potential. Her enthusiasm to learn and experiment with different mediums and ideas spoke volumes. She has a great overall energy that makes us very eager to watch her develop into a mature artist. Zoe possess a ‘raw’ quality which we feel will sprout into a dynamically inspiring style.”

Birk said AHS art teacher Joni Brannon nominated her for the award.

“My parents told me I had to do a video and send (the Layman Group) some artwork,” she said. “The video was supposed to be about what art means to me and why I wanted to win the award.”

Birk said she told them that art was really important to her.

“It’s something you can do that makes you happy as well as making others happy,” she said. “It’s a contribution to the world. It’s so free; you have no limits and you can do whatever you want.”

Birk submitted an acrylic painting and a charcoal drawing.

“I submitted what I had at our house because I usually just give away my work,” she said.

Birk said she wants her painting to be “that” painting in someone’s living room.

Art is something that has encompassed her whole life.

“I’ve been doing it since I was a little baby,” she said. “I’m really happy to get the opportunity to go places with my art. I am definitely going to pursue a degree in art.”

But where she’ll go to college, is up in the air for now.

As part her prize for winning the contest, Birk will have the opportunity to intern at any of the major art institutes in the country.

“(The organization) is going to help me pick one out,” she said. “I’m super excited about winning the award and the internship.”