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 and also provides an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the contest.
The Contest is open to all high school students in the 7th District. The over-all winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nation-wide.
Art works entered in the contest may be up to 32 inches by 32 inches (including the frame) and may be up to 4 inches in depth. The art work may be
- Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
- Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
- Collage
- Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
- Mixed Media
- Computer Generated Art
- Photography
All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution.
Students submit entries to their representative’s District Office no later than Monday, April 11, and panels of district artists select the winning entries.
A reception will be held in the evening on Monday, May 9 (6-7 pm). Students and their parents are encouraged to attend. Students in each county will be recognized, as well as overall winners.
A detailed outline of the 2016 Rules and Regulations for students and teachers, as well as the Student Release Form, are available below:
Link to Congressional Art Competition Student Information and Release Form
Link to the Comeptition's Rules and Regulations
Print both documents.
Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Art Gallery
Last Year’s Winner Hannah Granger of Deep Run High School in Henrico
Last Year’s Winning Piece entitled, Daniel
Here's a list of other top finishers from last year
2nd Place: Sophie Pimpinella, Patrick Henry High School, Hanover County
3RD Place; Lillian Boone, Clover Hill High School, Chesterfield County
Honorable Mentions:
Chesterfield County: Amanda Orndorff, Clover Hill High School
Culpeper County: Nicole Armstrong, Culpeper High School
Goochland County: Gracie Jones, Goochland High School
Hanover County: Chase Prince, Hanover High School
Henrico County: Tina Ngo, Hermitage High School
Orange County: Jessica Pedersen, Orange High School
City of Richmond: Izabela Clarke, St. Catherine’s School
