Guidelines for Congressional Art Competition

General Guidelines

The competition is open to high school students only.

In order to allow an artwork to hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are necessary:

• Piece must be two-dimensional
• Each piece can be no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches to the outside dimensions of the frame
• No more than 4 inches in depth

Artwork must arrive in Washington by the time specified and framed to the appropriate framing guidelines (see below)

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

Artwork categories are as follows:

• 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, etc.
• Computer generated art
• Photography

A copy of the Student Release Form, signed by both the teacher and the students, must be attached to the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

Each entry must be an original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S copyright laws.

Note: Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photo, painting, graphic, advertisement or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.

Framing Guidelines

All artwork, except for oil paintings, must be protected by a Plexiglas or glass frame.

All works, when framed¸ should be no larger than 30 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 4 inches deep including the outside dimensions of the frame. Please double check size before sending the entry to Washington. Due to wide participation of Member offices, framed work larger than the specified dimensions will be turned away.

Frames should be kept as simple and sturdy as possible. Metal frames are recommended.

No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used.

Plexiglas is better to use than glass over the artwork in order to avoid breakage. If glass is used, cover the entire surface completely with masking type prior to shipping.

Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be carefully prepared.

Use sturdy picture hangers. Two hooks should be attached at the right and the left sides of the back of the work in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly.

Since frames will be suspended by wire from overhead molding, please do not put wire between the hooks.

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

If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the back side which side is up with arrows.

As directed by the House Oversight and Standards of Official Conduct Committees, each district winner is responsible for framing his or her own entry.

A copy of the Student Release Form must be attached to the back of the artwork.

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