WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) announced his office has begun accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, a nationwide high school art competition is sponsored by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage creativity for students across the country. 

“The Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity for Central Valley students to express their creativity and showcase their artistic talent on the national stage,” said Congressman Valadao. “It's always meaningful to walk through the halls of the U.S. Capitol and see CA-22 represented, and I look forward to reviewing this year's submissions."

Students must submit their artwork and a student release form by April 27, 2026.

The winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition will have their artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol and will be invited to attend a winner’s reception in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2026. Students must be in high school (Grades 9-12) to participate.

Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.

Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal. It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.
• Collages: 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
• Photographs

For a full list of rules, regulations, and submission updates, please visit www.valadao.house.gov/forms/submitartwork.

Before submitting their work, students should review the Student Submission Checklist here.

To submit your art, please send a high-resolution picture of your artwork (jpeg format) and the Student Release Form to Grace.Reis@mail.house.gov. All submission or rule questions should be directed to Grace Reis at Grace.Reis@mail.house.gov or by calling (202) 225-4695.

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