Over the next month, teens in Dawson County and surrounding counties have the chance to compete for their art to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. 

Rep. Andrew Clyde for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District invites area high schoolers to participate in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, according to a recent press release.  Submissions are due by Wednesday, May 4th, and the winning artist’s entry will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol building.

This competition is part of a nationwide high school arts competition held every spring and sponsored by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. It is open to all high school students in the 9th District.

Started in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition provides a way for members of Congress

to showcase the artistic talents of their young constituents. Over the past four decades, more than 650,000 high school students have taken part in the nationwide competition.

“The annual Congressional Art Competition presents a unique opportunity to highlight young artists from across our great nation and display their talent in the People’s House,” said Clyde. “I encourage high school students in the Ninth to showcase their creativity by participating in this competition, and I look forward to seeing their brilliant designs.”

Last year, area student Lucy Basso won the 2021 competition for the 9th District with her watercolor painting, “Stovall Mill Covered Bridge.”

Contest rules

Any high school student in the 9th District may participate. Submitted artwork must be two dimensional and have a maximum size of 26 inches in height and width and four inches in depth, even when framed. The artwork weight limit is 15 pounds, and the selected winning artwork must arrive in Washington, D.C., framed. 

Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork include oil, acrylics and watercolor for paint; colored or graphite pencil, ink, marker, pastels or charcoal for drawings; two-dimensional collages only; and lithographs, silkscreen or block prints for prints.

Computer-generated art and photographs are also acceptable. Mixed media may incorporate more than two of these mediums.

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. 

To submit artworks, students must mail or deliver their artwork to Rep. Clyde’s Gainesville District Office by the May 4 deadline. His office is located at 210 Washington St NW, Suite 202, Gainesville, GA 30501. 

For additional questions, or to make in-person delivery arrangements, please call Rep. Clyde’s Gainesville District Office at 470-768-6520.