“The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful way for Montana’s young artists to be recognized for their talents,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “I’m pleased the art departments from two of Montana’s major institutions recognize this as an opportunity to reward an aspiring Montana artist with a college scholarship.”

            The annual competition began in 1982 to showcase the artistic talents of the nation’s students.  A grand prize winner and runner-up entry will be selected from among the Montana submissions.  The winner’s artwork will be on display for one year in the Cannon Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway leading to the United States Capitol.  The walkway is frequented by Members of Congress, staff, and the general public as they enter the Capitol Building. The first runner-up’s entry will be displayed for the public in Rehberg’s Washington, D.C. office. 

            The School of Fine Arts at the University of Montana, and the Montana State University School of Art have each offered a $1,000 art scholarship to the Montana winner of the 2008 competition.  The scholarship offer is good for the 2008-2009 academic school year, and the winner must be enrolled as an art major at the respective institution.  Each congressional district winner is also eligible for other scholarship offers through various institutions.

            “As an educator, I feel that this contest highlights creative, community-spirited young people in a very powerful way,” said Susan Dolan an art teacher at Billings West High School.  Dolan’s student, Tori Wardrip won the contest in 2004.  “She was elated when she won.  Seeing her work hanging in the Capitol building was such an honor and it became a pivotal event in her young life.”  Wardrip is currently a sophomore studying as an Art Education major at MSU-Bozeman.

            The grand prize winner and a guardian will receive complimentary airfare to attend the artwork’s unveiling ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June.  Entry submissions are due by Tuesday, April 15.  For more information and a student entry form, visit the Art Competition section of Rehberg’s congressional web site, (http://www.house.gov/rehberg/art), or contact Sheila Rath in Rehberg’s Billings District Office, 1-888-232-2626.

            Entries are accepted in seven different categories: paintings, drawings, collage, prints, mixed media, computer generated art, and photography.  The artwork is judged locally on originality, creativity, visual impact, expression of idea or theme, and use of technique in medium.