Twelve-year-old Gabriella Cannata is a natural when it comes to art, according to her parents Alfonso and Francesca, and it’s small wonder then that some of her work is now being displayed all around Boston.

The Higgins Middle School seventh-grader was a national winner in the Above the Influence Art Contest this past fall sponsored by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Gabriella’s entry and those of nine other national winners were turned into public advertisements, which are now on display in 10 metropolitan areas around the country — hers being the Boston area.

The contest was part of a national campaign to showcase teen’s artistic expressions of how they say “no” to negative influences, drug use and alcohol. In describing her piece, Gabriella pointed out how she included various themes and positive activities she enjoys, along with the encouragement to “be yourself.”

Gabriella and fellow Higgins student Julia Cardosa, 13, were both publicly congratulated by Mayor Michael Bonfanti and the Healthy Peabody Collaborative on Monday at the opening to the Higgins’ Spring Art Show. Bonfanti also presented the girls with framed copies of their work.

Bonfanti said the efforts of the local coalition are aimed at trying to spread awareness of the problems that use of drugs and other substances causes.

“We’re very, very proud of both of you,” he said. “We, together, have to stop the plague of drug and substance abuse.”

Gabriella’s art is posted at 68 bus stations and subway lines from Boston proper to Salem. You can check it out near Collins Middle School or outside Lynn Union Hospital until Aug. 28. Since Peabody doesn’t have any bus shelters at any of its stops, no advertisements were posted in the Leather City itself.

City officials said they are reviewing some possibilities of where they might display the ads or possibly create bumper stickers. A four- by six-foot version of the ad was given to the city and unveiled on Monday.

Higgins Principal Todd Bucey said he was “impressed” with the students’ work, which clearly depicted the effort they each put in. He added that it also showed students are understanding the consequences of substance abuse and taking some proactive measures.

“I think this is fantastic,” said Police Chief Robert Champagne.

He said peer-to-peer communication of this sort — essentially youths “speaking to each other in their own language” — can be very effective in discouraging substance abuse, oftentimes a message much easier to accept than when it comes from an adult instead.

Julia, an eighth-grader and one of 30 middle school students who submitted entries to the contest, was recognized as a local winner by the Healthy Peabody Collaborative.

Executive Director Sara Grinnell said the coalition utilized the contest in its efforts to encourage healthy lifestyle choices among local youths.

In addition to the submissions by Higgins students, 20 high students also entered the contest. Peabody High student Michael Britton was another local winner and also received a $50 VISA gift card.

Bonfanti offered to put the framed pieces on display at City Hall if possible.

In addition to the local honors, Gabriella also recently received a certificate from Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Francesca Cannata said.

You can check out all the entries to the contest at abovetheinfluence.com/fun/ugcgallery/. The Healthy Peabody Collaborative has also posted images of the Peabody students’ entries on its Facebook page.