High school students in the 25th Congressional District are invited each year to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition.

Sponsored by the Congressional Institute, each congressional district across the nation hosts a district-wide art competition to encourage student artistic challenge.

The winning piece of artwork from each district will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol in May.

Important Dates and Submission Information

Entries Due: Monday, May 6th, 2013 at 5 p.m.

* Submit to Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon’s Santa Clarita or Palmdale District Offices. Simi Valley student drop-off location to be announced.

* Entries must be accompanied by your completed Student Information and Release Form.

* Entries must include an art entry label taped to the back of the work.

* Make sure your entry meets all of the 2013 Art Competition Guidelines.

* Artwork must be framed and ready to hang (see guidelines).

Congressional Art Show Exhibition, Reception, and Judging: Thursday May 9th, 2013

* Student artwork will be displayed and judged at FASTFRAME, located at 24204 Valencia Boulevard Valencia, CA 91354.

* We invite all students, families, teachers, and the general public to view this celebration of the great artistic talent of our local high school students. The winner and runners up will be chosen by a judging committee.

Exhibition Opening in Washington D.C.: June 26th, 2013

* The winning student will have their artwork displayed in Washington, D.C.’s Cannon Tunnel, whose purpose is to allow Members of Congress, their staffs, and visitors to pass quickly back and forth between the Capitol and the Cannon House Office Building.

* The winner will be invited to attend a reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Eligibility

* All high school students who are residents in the 25th Congressional district are eligible to enter.

* Students must be currently enrolled in high school, or equivalent alternative, vocational, or private school.

* Artwork must be two-dimensional – no sculpture – but can be in virtually any medium, including paintings, drawings, collage, prints, mixed media, computer-generated, and photography.

* The artwork must be no larger than 28” by 28” to the outside dimensions of the frame, and no more than 4” in depth. Please note that the work, including frame cannot weigh more than fifteen (15) pounds. Work must be suitable to hang in the Capitol, but the decision about this suitability is made by the Capitol Architect. In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed.

* The artwork must be original in design, concept and execution – the student and teacher must sign a form attesting to this originality. Student entrants must also sign a release form, which gives the Capitol permission to reproduce their work in conjunction with promotion of the art competition.

* Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to students earlier, Students should therefore submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.

If you have questions or concerns, contact McKeon’s Santa Clarita District office at (661) 254-2111.