Each spring, the US House of Representatives sponsors a nationwide high school arts competition. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of students across the country. Last year, high school students across central and northwest Connecticut submitted more than 100 works of art.

Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty is inviting high school students who live or attend school in Connecticut's 5th Congressional District to submit work for this year's competition. The winner will receive a yearlong exhibition of the artwork in the US Capitol; complimentary airline tickets to Washington, DC, to attend the reception and installation of the winning entries from congressional districts throughout the country; and a chance to win a scholarship to one of the nation's top art schools.

Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches long, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep including the frame.

The following are accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork: paintings including oils, 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, and photographs.

Participants must physically deliver artwork and Student Release Forms to the Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main Street in Waterbury, between Sunday, March 25, and Saturday, April 8. Artwork can be delivered between noon and 5 pm those days, and much be accompanied by a 2018 Student Release Form.The form is available at sty.house.gov/services/art-competition. Art will not be displayed without a completed release form.

Rep Esty will be announcing this year's winner and recognize all participants and their families during a reception on Sunday, April 22, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, at the Mattatuck Museum. All students who would like to be considered for selection as a competition winner should be present at the event.

The first and second runners-up will have their artwork displayed in Rep Esty's offices in Washington  and New Britain. Honorary mention will be hung at the museum.

For additional information contact Xholina Nano in Rep Esty's office, at 860-223-8412 or

xholina.nano@mail.house.gov.

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