- Congressman McCarthy announced today that he is inviting all high school students in the 22nd Congressional District to compete in the 2011 Annual "An Artistic Discovery" Congressional Art Competition for high school students.

High school students from portions of Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles counties who reside in the 22nd Congressional District can submit artwork on a wide variety of subjects and mediums. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 25, 2011. Entries will be accepted at McCarthy's Bakersfield or Atascadero offices. The winning entry from Congressman Kevin McCarthy's 22nd Congressional District will be displayed in a corridor leading to the United States Capitol for one year.

The artwork must be an original concept, two dimensional and no larger than 28" x 28" (the measurement should allow for framing) and 4" in depth. Paintings (oil, watercolor, acrylic, etc.), computer generated art, photography, drawings, collages and prints (lithographs, silk screens, monotypes, woodcuts and intaglio methods) are acceptable.

The winner of the overall competition will receive roundtrip airline tickets to travel to the exhibit opening in Washington, D.C. in June.

In addition to the overall winner of the competition, awards will be given to those who place first, second and third in the following three categories: photography, computer generated art, and artwork of all other mediums.

All artwork will be exhibited to the public at Metro Galleries from Tuesday, May 3rd through Friday, May 6th, concluding with the awards reception on Friday, May 6th at Metro Galleries, 1604 19th Street in Bakersfield from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM.

For further information, please contact Congressman McCarthy's office at (661) 327-3611 (Bakersfield) or (805) 461-1034 (Atascadero) or any high school art department in the 22nd Congressional District.