LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The deadline is quickly approaching for the Congressional Art Competition.

Submissions are due Monday, April 22.

The Congressional Art Competition, which Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced last month, showcases the artistic talents and abilities of students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.

The 2013 competition is open to all high school students in California’s Fifth District.

“Be sure to get your submissions in before the deadline,” said Thompson. “This competition is an excellent opportunity for our community to support our student artists, and I encourage all eligible students to apply. Every year our office receives outstanding submissions from talented artists all across our district. I look forward to seeing all of this year’s artwork.”

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.

An oil portrait on canvas titled “Erin,” painted by last year’s winner, Julian Gordon of McKinleyville, is currently on display in the Capitol.

A panel of judges will select the winning entry and their decision will be announced in early May. All artwork must be submitted by April 22 to Congressman Thompson’s district offices: 1040 Main St., Suite 101, Napa, CA 94559; 985 Walnut Ave., Vallejo, CA 94592; and 2300 Country Center Dr. Suite A100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

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, which can be found here: http://www.house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/pdf/student-information-release-form.pdf .

Complete contest guidelines are here: 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 Melissa Rodezno in Congressman Thompson’s Napa office at 707-226-9898 for further guidelines and information.