Calling all artists!

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. I invite all high school students in Ohio's Second Congressional District to enter the annual competition.

Students may submit their original, two-dimensional artwork to my district offices in Cincinnati or Peebles, and a panel of three judges will select first place, second place, and third place winners, alongside a "viewer's choice" determined by online voting.

The first place winner will have his/her work displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol and will receive two plane tickets to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony recognizing each of the winners from across the nation. The runners-up will have their artwork displayed prominently in one of my offices.

View galleries from 2015, 2014, and 2013.



General Guidelines

The following guidelines apply for all entries:
- Artwork must be two-dimensional.

-Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.

-Each framed artwork can be no larger than 28 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.

-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 a sensationalistic or gruesome nature will not be accepted.

***NOTE: In accordance with the suitability guidelines released by the House Office Building Commission, Congressman Wenstrup's staff will conduct a suitability review of all submissions prior to judging. They reserve the right to withdraw any piece deemed inappropriate for display in the U.S. Capitol. If you have questions about the Building Commission's guidelines, or if you are unsure about whether a particular submission is acceptable, please contact Congressman Wenstrup's staff.***

-Every student must fill out a TYPED Student Information and Release Form to submit with their artwork.

-Each student must submit their artwork either to the Cincinnati district office or the Peebles district office no later than 5:00pm on Friday, April 15. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.


Accepted Mediums

Accepted mediums for two-dimensional artwork are as follows:

-Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.

-Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (it is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed)

-Prints: lithographs, silk screen, block prints

-Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.

-Collages (must be two dimensional)

-Computer-generated art

-Photographs


Important Documents

2016 Rules and Regulations
Art Submission Checklist
Student Information and Release Form