Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEATURE NEWS – March 19, 2008
Contact: BRIAN PERRY: 601-932-4647

PICKERING: CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
Students in Mississippi’s Third Congressional District able to compete to display work in US Capitol and attend award ceremony in Washington DC

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Chip Pickering announces the 27th Annual Congressional Art Competition open to students in the 9th through 12th grade in Mississippi’s Third Congressional District.  Public, private, parochial and home school students are eligible.  The winning entry will hang in the US Capitol for a year and the winner will be able to attend an awards ceremony in Washington DC.

“Mississippi has a legacy of talented artists and I’m pleased to honor students’ work at the US Capitol,” Congressman Pickering said.  “Visitors often remark on the quality of the art from our Mississippi students.  We should continue to promote and honor our heritage of creativity from the Magnolia State.”

The artwork must be an original concept no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches framed, and can be created through drawing, painting, photography, computer generated art, collage or mixed media.  Only one entry per student is allowed and the piece must be accompanied by a Student Information / Student Release Form attached to the back. 

The deadline for entries is Friday, March 28.  Entries may be dropped off at any of Congressman Pickering’s district offices (Pearl, Meridian, Starkville, Brookhaven and Natchez).  A reception for the artists will be held at the City of Brandon Public Library on April 7 at 10:00 a.m. when the winners of each division and the overall winner will be announced.

Last year, Starkville High School Senior Parvanen Toghiani won the overall award with additional winners coming from Oktibbeha, Noxubee, Simpson, Lawrence, Rankin, Lauderdale, Hinds and Pike counties.

Students wishing to participate or needing additional information should contact their high school art department or principal, or they may call Cindy Fish in Congressman Pickering’s Pearl Office at 601-932-2410.

Congressman Chip Pickering represents Mississippi’s Third Congressional District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  This is his sixth term.