NORFOLK, Va. -- When a 17-year-old entered a nude painting into The Virginian-Pilot’s prestigious Student Gallery competition, they refused it first prize despite a judge’s ruling.

Beth Reid painted the nude self-portrait based on inspiration from her two favorite art periods; the Renaissance and Baroque.

Video: Nude art of teen denied contest win

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“I actually thought I was being very discreet,” said the Churchland High School senior.

However, contest organizers disagreed. After throwing out the first judge’s decision, they brought in a second judge who chose a nude sculpture as the new winner. However, organizers vetoed that choice as well.

The newspaper released a statement saying; "The Pilot felt the artwork was inappropriate for a high school art show, especially the depiction of a 17-year-old female minor in the nude. We are working closely with the Chrysler to avoid this situation in the future."

Ann Dearsley-Vernon, former Director of Education at the Chrysler Museum where the competition is held, said she was “quite shocked and appalled” by The Pilot’s decision.

She is now raising $1,000 to give Reid; the same amount of scholarship money the contest would have awarded her for winning.

“Young people are the artists of the future, and they need to be encouraged and not see people changing the rules in the middle of the game,” said Dearsley-Vernon.

“That makes me feel really good, and I almost feel guilty because it’s really not their fault,” said Reid.

She said she’s disappointed she won’t have the bragging rights that come with winning the Student Gallery, but assures 13News this will not be the last nude she paints.

Beth Reid says she thought she was being discreet with this painting.

“I’m almost glad this has happened, because, maybe this revolution is needed about nudity,” she said.

This year marked the 37th Student Gallery hosted at the Chrysler Museum. There were 62 finalists in this year's competition.

Two employees of The Pilot judged the entries the third time, awarding 17-year-old Erin Ayres' sculpture "Unveiled Tokens of Lonely and Deserted Past" with the top prize.

The Student Gallery exhibition runs from March 28th to April 18th.