Congressional Art Contest

Each year, Congressman Cantor presents awards to high school students from the 7th District for their outstanding art work. The winner's art is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

The Congressional Art Competition provides an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since its inception, over 650,000 high school students have participated in the nationwide competition.

The Seventh District Congressional Art Contest is held in the spring of each year. Our office sends a letter to school principals and teachers throughout the 7th District early each calendar year to notify them of the competition. To determine if a student resides in the 7th Congressional District, you may visit this website. Additionally, we would like to encourage homeschooled students from the 7th District to submit artwork.

The deadline for 2012 Competition entries is Friday, March 30th. Students may submit a single, original entry no larger than 28" x 28" x 4" inches, including the frame. Paintings, drawings, watercolors, pastels, collages, or prints may be submitted. You can read additional guidelines for students and teachers here.

All entries are displayed in the Richmond area and are reviewed by a professional panel of judges who award first, second, and third place awards. The winners are announced during a reception for the student artists and their parents, teachers, and school administrators.

The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, for one year starting in June, replacing the previous year's winner. That entry will be displayed with the works of student artists from across America. The work of the runners-up will be displayed in Congressman Cantor's District Office for one year.

In order to recognize as many of our talented student artists as possible, an honorable mention from each school district is also selected.

For additional information about the Congressional Art Contest and a 7th District participation form, please contact our Richmond office at (804) 747-4073 or (800) 438-3793.

2011 Congressional Art Contest Winners

On Saturday, May 21st Congressman Eric Cantor (VA-07) announced the winners of the 2011 Congressional Art Competition for the 7th District during an award ceremony at Capital One's West Creek Town Center in Richmond.

This year, 84 local high school students submitted entries. The first place winner is Anna Beth Hart of Henrico High School for her artwork entitled, "Caroline," which will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. (The artwork is also displayed above on this page.)

For the first time, people could vote for their favorite entry online and over 1,100 votes were cast. The online winner is Jackie St. Clair of Highland School for her piece, "A Slice of Still Life," which also received an honorable mention.

Congressman Cantor said, "We have so many gifted young artists in Virginia, and the talents of our students from the 7th District are exemplified by this year's Congressional Art Competition winners. I am proud to congratulate all our winners for their amazing artwork, as well as for their enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to the arts."

View pictures from the 2011 Congressional Art Competition here.

2011 Congressional Art Contest Winners
First Place - Anna Beth Hart, Henrico High School
Second Place - Patrick Acker, Clover Hill High School
Third Place - Sophia Smith, Hermitage High School

Honorable Mentions:
Sarah Agee, Clover Hill High School
Sarah Johnson, St. Catherine's School
Jackie St. Clair, Highland School
Isabelle Hinckley, St. Catherine's School
Alyx Bailey, Grove Avenue Christian School
Reed Gibson, Douglas Freeman High School
Sara Sanger, Louisa County High School
Courtney Harkness, Orange County High School
Jessica Boutte, Rappahannock County High School

2010 Congressional Art Contest Winners
First Place - Sean Turner, Hermitage High School
Second Place - Audrey Hester, Deep Run High School
Third Place - Ericka Wenrich, Deep Run High School

2009 Congressional Art Contest Winners
First Place - Kendall Cox, Henrico High School
Second Place - Kelly Burnett, Hermitage High School
Third Place - Victoria Sampson, Hermitage High School

2008 Congressional Art Contest Winners
First Place - Kelsey Sawyer, Maggie Walker Governor's School
Second Place - Sam Melby, Hermitage High School
Third Place - Abigail Bock, Home School