WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) announced his office is now accepting applications for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. 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 artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional district.

“The Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity for students across the Central Valley to showcase their talents and creativity,” said Congressman Valadao. “I’m incredibly excited to see all the different pieces this year’s artists submit.”

Students must submit their artwork and a student release form by 5:00 pm PST on Friday, May 5, 2023.

The winner of the challenge will have their artwork displayed for 1 year in the United States Capitol Building, as well as be invited to attend a winners’ reception in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2022. Students must be in high school (Grade 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

All additional rules and regulations can be found here. 

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

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

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