Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) on Tuesday announced the beginning of the 2012 Congressional Art Competition, and urged high school students in California’s 1st Congressional District to enter their artwork.

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

The 2012 competition is open to all high school students in California’s 1st District.

“At a time when tight budgets are forcing many of our schools to scale back art and music programs, it’s important to recognize and encourage our district’s young artists,” said Rep. Thompson. “The Congressional Art Competition gives our community the opportunity to support our student artists, and I encourage all eligible students to apply. I 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 Friday, April 20, 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” x 28” x 4” (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, which can be downloaded at http://www.house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/pdf/student-information-release-form.pdf .

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

Complete guidelines also are available at http://www.house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/pdf/student-information-release-form.pdf .