LOUISVILLE – Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced an open invitation to Louisville’s aspiring young artists to participate in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition.

“A great art scene begins in the classroom, where young artists cultivate a love of art,” Yarmuth said. “I’m proud to support the efforts of Louisville’s young artists and educators, who are key to making our city a thriving arts community.”

During the past five years, Louisville’s young artists have submitted hundreds of pieces for the annual competition, which recognizes and encourages the artistic talents of high-school students across the nation.

All 2012 submissions will be posted on Congressman Yarmuth’s website, and Louisvillians will vote online to select the top 20 finalists, whose work will be featured in a show at the Louisville Visual Art Association Gallery at The Louisville Water Tower. The winning artist’s work will hang in the halls of the United States Capitol for an entire year. (Click here to view last year’s winner.)

The competition is open to high school students only, and the deadline to submit artwork is 5 p.m. on March 14, 2012. This year, it is easier than ever to enter the Congressional Art Competition, with three options for submitting your artwork:

• Snap a picture of the artwork you would like to submit and email it with a completed 2012 Student Information and Release form to Gil.Reyes@Mail.House.Gov.  Please send your picture as a JPEG and your form as a PDF.

OR

• Bring your artwork and completed 2012 Student Information and Release form to Congressman Yarmuth’s Office in the Romano Mazzoli Federal Building before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14.

OR

• Schedule a day before Wednesday, March 14, for a member of Congressman Yarmuth’s staff to stop by your school to photograph and/or collect student artwork and Student Information and Release forms.

Please review the official competition rules here. Download the 2012 Student Information and Release form here.