Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. “The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional district,” said Rep. Kevin Kiley, of California’s 3rd District, which includes Plumas County.
The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in the 3rd District. The winning artwork of the competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country.
Following is a summary of the congressional art competition rules:
Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 28 inches by 28 inches, may be up to 4 inches in depth, and must not weigh more than 15 pounds. Artwork selected as a winning piece must arrive framed and must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions.
Accepted mediums for two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (use of a fixative recommended for charcoal and pastel).
- Collages: must be two-dimensional.
- Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints.
- Mixed media works: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Computer-generated art.
- Photographs.
All entries must be original in concept, design and execution.
To participate in California’s 3rd Congressional District art competition, students must either reside or attend school in the district, which includes Plumas, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties, and parts of Yuba, El Dorado and Sacramento counties. To confirm that a student or school is in Kiley’s district, visit Find Your Representative | house.gov.
Artists must complete the student release form and include it with their completed artwork. Additional information can be found in the art submission checklist and the rules for students and teachers.
Those with questions or who would like additional information are invited to contact Kiley’s district office at 916-724-2575 or [email protected].
Artwork is due for submission at Kiley’s district office at 6538 Lonetree Blvd., Suite 200, Rocklin, CA 95765 by April 22. Business hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If students are unable to submit artwork in person, contact [email protected].
A reception, at which the winner will be announced, will be held Saturday, April 27, at the Sierra College Q Building at 5100 Sierra College Blvd. in Rocklin. To see a map of the campus, click here. The reception will take place from 4 to 6 p.m.
Second- and third-place finishers will be eligible to have their artwork hung in Kiley’s Washington, D.C., and district offices, respectively.
All students who attend the reception will receive congressional honor from Kiley to recognize their work and participation in the competition.
Information submitted by Office of Rep. Kevin Kiley