Each Spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition that recognizes and encourages artistic talent in each congressional district. I am delighted to invite high school students in our community to participate in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition! Public, private, and home-schooled students are all eligible to participate, and I encourage any student who may be interested to submit an entry to showcase your artistic talent.
The winner of our district's competition will be displayed for 11 months in the Cannon Tunnel, which leads into the United States Capitol, where it will be seen by thousands of people. The winner also has an opportunity to meet with other similarly talented young artists at the unveiling of their works in Washington, D.C at the congressional unveiling ceremony in June.
You must submit your artwork with a completed 2025 Student Release Form by email to VA01Artwork@gmail.com or deliver the artwork and release form in person to my Glen Allen office or my Yorktown office. The deadline to submit your artwork is Monday, April 28, 2025 at 5 p.m. I look forward to seeing all of the wonderful works of art coming from the talented individuals who make up Virginia’s First District!
Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 28 inches by 28 inches, may be up to 4 inches in depth, and not weigh more than 15 pounds. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, the original piece of art must be on display. You are welcome to submit any of the following for the competition:
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Paintings: including oil, acrylics, and watercolor.
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Drawings: including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
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Collages: must be two dimensional.
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Prints: including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints.
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Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
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Computer-generated art
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Photography
The rules for the competition can be found here.
The Student Submission and Release Forms can be found here.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-4261 or contact my Staff Assistant, Caroline Kuhn, at caroline.kuhn@mail.house.gov with any additional questions. I look forward to seeing all of your artwork!
