WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) urged high school students in California’s 1st Congressional District to enter their artwork in the 2011 Congressional Art Competition.

The annual competition showcases the artistic talents and abilities of students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.

“At a time when tight budgets are forcing many of our schools to scale back art and music programs, I think it’s important to recognize and encourage young artists,” said Rep. Thompson. “The Congressional Art Competition gives our community the opportunity to do that. I encourage all eligible students in our district to apply and look forward to reviewing this year’s submissions.”

Since 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has given members of Congress the opportunity to encourage the artistic talents of their young constituents.

Each member of Congress hosts a competition among high school students in his or her district. The winning artwork from each district is then displayed in the United States Capitol for one year.

In addition, the grand prize winner will be flown with a guest to Washington, D.C. to attend an awards ceremony in June.

A panel of judges will select the winning entries and their decision will be announced at a special ceremony and exhibit (details TBD).

All artwork is due by Monday, April 25, and can be submitted at any of Congressman Thompson’s district offices:

• Humboldt: 317 3rd St., Suite 1, Eureka, CA 95501;

• Mendocino: 430 North Franklin St., PO Box 2208, Fort Bragg, CA 95437;

• Napa: 1040 Main St., Suite 101, Napa, CA 94559;

• Yolo: 712 Main St., Suite 101, Woodland, CA 95695.

Guidelines for the Congressional Art Competition include the following:

• Artwork must be two-dimensional.

• Each piece can be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, including the frame.

• Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 pounds.

Acceptable media for artwork are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.

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

• Collage.

• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints.

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

• Computer-generated art.

• Photography.

All submissions must be accompanied by a completed Student Information/Release Form (PDF).

Students and teachers interested in the Congressional Art Competition should contact Lindsay Righter in Congressman Thompson’s Humboldt office at 707-269-9595 for further guidelines and information.

Guidelines and information can be downloaded at www.house.gov/house/ArtGuidelines.shtml .

Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and portions of Sonoma and Yolo counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson also is a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.