Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork of our district’s 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. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov’s Congressional Art Competition page.

*2023 Winner Abigail Xiong with Congressman Miller*

General Guidelines:

• Competition is open to high school student’s grades 9 through 12 who reside in the 7 Congressional District of Ohio only. To verify your residence, please visit http://www.house.gov/htbin/zipfind or call the Medina District Office at 330-661-6654

• Only one piece of artwork is permitted per student participating in the competition.

• Each entry MUST be accompanied by 2 typed copies of the 2024 Student Entry and Release Form. One is to be attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.  The other is to be turned into the staff when the piece is delivered to one of the two drop off locations.  Be sure these are signed by the art teacher, the student, and the guardian.

• In the interest of upholding the public trust, no full or part-time staff member, intern, nor their immediate family members will be considered as applicants or contestants for any competition or contest affiliated with our office. This rule applies to the Congressional Art Competition.

• In the interest of widening the scope of opportunities for Congressional Art Competition participants, only entrants who have not previously won “Best in Show” will be considered for the grand prize.

Artwork Accepted Mediums

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.

• Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers

• Collage: must be two dimensional

• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints

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

• Computer-generated art

• Photography

**The final decision regarding the suitability of all artwork for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition exhibition in the U.S. Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol.  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 are not allowed.  It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect of the Capitol and any portion not in consonance with the Commission’s policy will be omitted from the exhibit. **

Artwork Size and Framing Requirements

• 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 (not the student’s own), painting, graphic, advertisement, or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).

• A typed and securely affixed LARGE label must be applied to the back of each piece (see sample at the end of the packet).

• Entries to the district competition do not require frames however the winning entry will need to be framed before exhibition in the U.S. Capitol; therefore the following requirements should be followed for all entries to the district competition.

  • All works, including frame, should be no larger than:

    • 28 inches high

    • 28 inches wide

    • 4 inches deep

    • 15 lbs. in weight

      • Framed work larger than the specified dimensions will be turned away.

    • Do not attach labels, ribbons, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or Plexiglas.

    • If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the backside which side is “up” with arrows.

    • Framing guidelines for the winner of the Congressional Art Competition:

      • Frames should be kept as simple and sturdy as possible. Metal frames are recommended.  No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used.

      • Artwork must be protected by Plexiglas or glass.

      • Use sturdy picture hangers on the back of the frame. Two sturdy eye hooks should be attached at the top right and left sides of the back of the work for hanging in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly. Do not put wire between the hooks for hanging; these will be added when the artwork is hung in the Capitol.

      • If the winner has not already done so, the artwork will be given to them after the competition to frame before the piece is sent to the U.S. Capitol for “Art Intake Day” (Exact date TBA, though it will occur during the month of May)

      • Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the students earlier. Students should, therefore, submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.

Art Competition Timeline

Art (MUST BE RECEIVED BY Thursday, April 25^th, 2024) Between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

• Artwork is to be delivered to one of the following locations:

  • Congressman Miller’s Medina district office 72 Public Square, 2^nd Floor, Medina, Ohio 44256

If you need directions, please call 330-661-6654

• Congressman Miller’s Parma district office 7335 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio 44129

If you need directions, please call 440-692-6120

• Artwork will be judged by an independent panel formed by professional artists.

(TBD)

• An awards ceremony and small reception for participants and their families will be held.

• Congressman Miller will be awarding Best in Show (which will go on to hang in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.) and 1^st runner-up, and 2^nd runner-up.

TBD

• Artwork will be checked in during “Art Intake Day” in Washington D.C.

• Official Reception for winners and their guests/family members

Artwork Label

Please type and affix a large label with the below format to the back of your artwork, along with one copy of the 2024 Student Entry and Release Form

Students Name: _____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________________________________ Medium: __________________________________________________ Congressman Max Miller Ohio / 7th Congressional District