Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. Representing the People of the 2nd District of Illinois
 

Washington DC Office
2419 Rayburn House Office
Building

Washington DC 20515-1302
Phone: (202) 225-0773
Fax: (202) 225-0899

Homewood Office
17926 South Halsted
Homewood, IL 60430-2013
Phone: (708) 798-6000
Fax: (708) 798-6160
 
Chicago Office
7121 S. Yates Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone: (773) 734-9660
Fax: (773) 734-9661
 

An Artistic Discovery

The Congressional Art Competition

'Broken Down' by Jeremy Wright

Entry Deadline: April 2009.

Every year, An Artistic Discovery makes it possible for one outstanding high school artist from the 2nd Congressional District of Illinois to display their artwork for a year in the U.S. Capitol. It also allows Members of Congress and the public to encourage and recognize young artists, while giving the artists a wider audience to excite and inspire through art.

An Artistic Discovery is a national exhibition coordinated by Members of Congress. First launched in 1982, the exhibition has spurred nearly 4,500 local contests involving more than 650,000 high school students. The winning artwork from each Congressional district is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway leading to the U.S. Capitol.

If you, or a young artist you know, would like to participate in An Artistic Discovery, please:

For more information, please call or visit one of my district offices.

Art Competition Guidelines

The Competition is only open to high school students. Exceptions will be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades in one building.

In order for art work to hang in the Cannon tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, it must fit the following criteria:

  • Two-dimensional only.
  • Each art work can be no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches to the outside dimensions of the frame.
  • No more than 4 inches in depth.
  • Art work must arrive in Washington framed to the appropriate framing guidelines.

Art work categories are as follows:

  • Paintings: (oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.)
  • Drawings: (pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers, etc.)
  • Collage: Must be 2 dimensional
  • Prints: (lithographs, silkscreen, block prints)
  • Mixed media
  • Computer-generated art
  • Photography

Each entry must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any copyright laws.

An attached form must be signed by the teacher and the student to certify the originality of the art piece.

NOTE: Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photo, painting or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and WILL NOT be accepted!

The final decision regarding suitability for the exhibition in the Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol.

Framing Guidelines

As directed by the House Administration Committee and Standards of Official Conduct Committee, each district winner is responsible for framing his or her winning entry. Any hardship cases should be assisted at the district level; works can no longer be framed by the Architect of the Capitol. Framed work should be no larger than 30 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, including the outside dimensions of the frame. Frames should be kept as simple and as sturdy as possible. Metal frames are recommended. Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be carefully prepared. All work, except for oil painting, should be protected by Plexiglas or glass. Plexiglas is better to use than glass over the artwork in order to avoid breakage. If glass is used, cover the entire surface completely with masking tape prior to shipping. Use sturdy hangers. Two hooks should be attached at the top and at the right and the left sides of the back of the work in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly. No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used. Because frames will be suspended by wire from overhead molding, please do not put wire between the hooks. Do not attach labels, ribbon, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or Plexiglas. If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the backside which side is up! A copy of the Student Information/Release Form must be attached to the back of the artwork along with an adhesive label as shown.

Suitability Guidelines

As outlined in these guidelines, the final decision regarding suitability for exhibition in the Capitol is left to a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol. While it is not the intent to censor any artwork, we do wish to avoid the situation of hanging artwork that is potentially controversial and inappropriate for display in the Capitol.

Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission. In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or of a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed. It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by Architect of the Capitol and any portions not in consonance with the Commission’s policy will be omitted from the exhibit.

Previous contests

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