Press Releases

Chester, PA – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) is now accepting submissions for the 40th Annual Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to students, grades 9 through 12, who reside in Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District. Participating students are offered an opportunity to highlight their talent and the winner will have their artwork displayed in the United States Capitol for an entire year. 

Artwork can be submitted in person at Scanlon's district office during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or mailed. Submission will be accepted from April 18, 2022 through April 29, 2022. Additional details are included below. 

“Art is a powerful platform for free expression and can be a moving source of hope and inspiration,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Each year, I look forward to this opportunity to view our community through the eyes of our student constituents.”

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition.

Rules and Regulations

Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive in Washington, D.C. framed. Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.

Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal 
• 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
• Photographs 

Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. For more information on copyright laws, visit the Scholastic website.

A completed Student Release Form must accompany each submission. Artwork can be submitted in person or via mail at Congresswoman Scanlon’s district office:

Rita Waters

2501 Seaport Drive, BH230

Chester, PA 19103

Click here for more information on the Congressional Art Competition, including a full list of competition guidelines. 

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