WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — A Wayne County student artist has turned an ordinary junk drawer into an extraordinary work of art, earning Best in Show recognition at the North Carolina State Fair.
Lily Elizabeth Smith, a student at Wayne Technical Arts, received the prestigious recognition for a detailed artwork inspired by everyday objects and personal interests.
What began as a classroom assignment became an award-winning piece that stood out among artwork from across North Carolina.
Smith explained that the assignment challenged students to create a composition based on items found in a junk drawer. She went home, searched through her own drawer and gathered inspiration from objects that reflected her life and interests.
The finished artwork features an assortment of carefully rendered items, including glasses, a pencil, earbuds, paintbrushes, a sketchpad, seashells and shark teeth.
Each object offers a glimpse into Smith’s personality, from her love of drawing to her interest in collecting treasures along the North Carolina coast.
The glasses represent an especially personal connection, reflecting both her everyday life and how she sees the world. The seashells and shark teeth highlight her enjoyment of beachcombing.
Despite the remarkable detail and realism of the composition, Smith completed the project during art class over a relatively short period.
Her artistic abilities, however, have been developing for years.
Smith explained that she has been drawing for as long as she can remember, crediting years of practice and dedication for her ability to create realistic artwork.
Her journey to statewide recognition began when the piece earned first place in Wayne County, qualifying it to advance to the State Fair.
Smith said she was excited to learn that her artwork would compete at the state level. Winning Best in Show came as an even bigger surprise, especially knowing she was competing against talented young artists from across North Carolina.
The recognition represents not only a personal achievement but also an opportunity to bring statewide honors home to Wayne County.
During the interview, Smith reflected on the dedication required to develop artistic skills and offered encouragement to other aspiring artists.
She emphasized that becoming a better artist takes time and consistent practice. She also acknowledged that artists may judge their own work differently than others do, making it important not to let self-doubt discourage creativity.
For Smith, a simple classroom assignment became proof that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.
And sometimes, all it takes is opening a junk drawer to discover something worthy of Best in Show. 
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