WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) announced that talented high school students living in Texas’ 34th Congressional District have the opportunity to display their artistic talent in the U.S. Capitol by competing in the annual Congressional Art Competition.

This nationwide art competition provides young student artists with an opportunity to showcase their work locally, as well as the chance to be recognized at the national level for their talent and creativity. Each Member of Congress can choose one grand prize winner from his or her district. The winning entry from Congressman Vela’s district will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol complex in Washington, D.C.

“The Congressional Art Competition gives thousands of visitors to the U.S. Capitol the opportunity to see pieces of art created by students from around the country,” said Congressman Vela. “I encourage all high school students to enter their works of art in my 2013 competition and demonstrate the creative and artistic talents of our young people here in South Texas.”

The winning artist and one guest will also be invited to a Capitol Hill awards ceremony this summer to honor young artists from around the nation and officially unveil their artwork in the Capitol. The reception traditionally features a celebrity from the entertainment industry.

All entries must be submitted by 5pm CDT on April 19th to Congressman Vela’s Brownville, Alice, or San Benito district offices. Click here for the office locations and phone numbers. All artwork submissions will be on display for the public at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art and the winning piece will be announced during a public reception at the Museum hosted by Congressman Vela on April 27, 2013 from 10 am until 2 pm at the Museum of Fine Art (660 E Ringgold Street, Brownsville, TX 78520). A panel of judges convened by Congressman Vela will select the winner.

Guidelines for Congressman Vela’s competition are as follows:

• Participants must be high school students residing or going to school in the 34th District. Click here to view a map of the 34th district, or go to www.house.gov and enter your zip code to find your U.S. Representative.
   
• Artwork must be suitable for hanging, no larger than 28-inch by 28-inch framed (framing not required), and two-dimensional.
   
• Seven pieces of art from each school will be accepted with a maximum of two pieces per student.
   
• Eligible forms of artwork are paintings, prints, drawings, collages, computer art, mixed media and photography.
   
• A release form certifying the originality of the art piece must be signed by teacher and student and attached to the back of the art piece. The forms are available ­here and at Congressman Vela’s district offices in Brownsville, Alice, and San Benito.

Created in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition’s goal is to give creative students the chance to have their talents recognized nationwide. Since then, more than 650,000 students have participated in the competition and the works of thousands of young American artists have been showcased in the halls of Congress.

For more information, including the student artwork release form and other important instructions, please click here.