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U.S. Constitution

2012 Congressional Art Competition

Since the first competition in 1982, each Member of the U.S. House of Representatives conducts an “Artistic Discovery” competition to provide high school students the chance to share their artistic ability. The annual competition includes paintings, drawings, collages, prints, photography, computer generated art, and mixed media presentations. 

The Artistic Discovery competition is an opportunity to showcase the talents of creative high school students. Each year, Congressman Kline continues to be impressed with Minnesota’s gifted young artists, and he is pleased to once again invite all high school students in our district to participate. Art entries for the 2012 contest must be received by Congressman Kline's office in Burnsville by Friday, April 20, 2012.

  • To download the General Guidelines and Student Information and Release Form, please click here.

General Guidelines

The competition is open to high school students only.
 
Winning entries are displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol. To comply with related guidelines, each work of art must be: 

  • Two-dimensional;
  • No larger than 28 inches by 28 inches to the outside dimensions of the frame; and
  • Not be more than 4 inches in depth.

Art work categories are as follows:

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

Each entry must be an original in concept; design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws.
 
An attached form must be signed by the teacher and the student to certify the originality of the piece.
 
NOTE: Any entry that 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.
 
Official resources are to be used only to the extent authorized by the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
 
Suitability Guidelines
While it is not the intent of contest organizers to censor any artwork, we wish to avoid 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. 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. All artwork will be reviewed by the panel and the chair and any portions not in consonance with the Commission's policy will be omitted from the exhibit.
 
More information
Sally Bryant
Artistic Discovery Coordinator
c/o Congressman John Kline
101 West Burnsville Parkway, Suite #201
Burnsville, MN 55337
Phone: (952) 808-1213
E-mail: Click here

2011 winners from Minnesota’s Second District
Excelsior freshman Riley Nelson won the competition with his drawing, “Minnesota Morning – Largemouth Bass”. Faribault senior Marci Lessman was named the runner-up for her pencil drawing, “Caught My Eye.” Hastings senior Roberta Scherer’s oil pastel “A Deal with Darkness” garnered third place. Montgomery-Lonsdale senior Aimee Fisher and New Prague senior Maksim Lukashev both received honorable mentions.