The U.S. House of Representatives invites local high schoolers to participate in the 2011 Congressional Art Competition: An Artistic Discovery. Established in 1982, the competition encourages and acknowledges artistic talent across the nation, inspiring the participation of over 650,000 high school students since its start.
Each year, students submit art pieces to local congressional district offices, and one winner is chosen from each district. Winners are invited to a ceremony at the nation’s capital, where their artwork is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building for one year until the next competition cycle.
“It’s always difficult to pick just one winner because there is so much great young artistic talent on the Central and South Coasts,” said Representative Lois Capps in a press release. “I love walking from my congressional office to the Capitol and seeing a local work of art displayed.”
This year’s competition is cochaired by Representatives Donna Edwards (MD-4) and Leonard Lance (NJ-7).
Students in the Santa Barbara area can submit artwork to Santa Barbara’s congressional district offices until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 29. Go here for more information on submission requirements.