Congressional Art Competition

Chellie with 2011 Art Competition winner Whitney Wei of Farmingdale

Each year, a nationwide student art competition is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 700,000 high school students have competed for the honor of having their work shown in the U.S. Capitol.

MAINE’S CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION

The competition in Maine is open to all high school students, and there is a winner, first runner up, second runner up and honorable mention chosen from each of Maine’s two congressional districts. The competition is co-hosted by the Maine Arts Commission and the offices of Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree.

Maine’s winners, chosen by jurors selected by the Maine Arts Commission, will have their work displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol for one year. Both winning students, along with a parent, will be provided tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines to participate in an opening ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June. Finalists and runners up, their families, and art teachers are also invited to a reception at the Blaine House in Augusta where the selected students are recognized for their work by Maine’s Governor and members of Congress.

Students interested in participating in the competition are encouraged to visit the Maine Arts Commission’s website to get more detailed information on submission guidelines.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Jeremy Vroom of Bangor and Whitney Wei of Farmingdale are the winners of the 2011 Congressional Arts Competition. Click HERE to view all 2011 winners from Maine's 1st Congressional District, first runners up, second runners up, and honorable mentions.

1st District Winner: Whitney Wei
Art Work: Hallowell
Medium: Loose Charcoal, Graphite Pencil