CONSTITUENT SERVICES

Congressman Cliff Stearns
Working for Florida's Sixth District since 1989


Annual Art Competition

Each year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives join together to recognize the creative spirit of American high school students through a nationwide art competition.  Any high school student living in, or attending school in, the Sixth Congressional District is eligible to enter the contest.

Please contact Shawna Williams at 352-351-8777 (toll free - 800-888-7743) in the Ocala office if you have any questions.



Guidelines for Congressional Art Competition

In order to allow an artwork to hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are necessary:

Piece must be two-dimensional Each piece can be no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches to the outside dimensions of the frame (change from previous years)
No more than 4 inches in depth
Artwork must arrive in Washington by the time specified and framed to the appropriate framing guidelines (see below)
Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to students earlier. Students, therefore, should submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.

Artwork categories are as follows:
Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
Collage: must be two-dimensional
Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
Mixed media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, etc.
Computer generated art
Photography

A copy of the Student Release Form, signed by both the teacher and the student, must be attached to the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

Each entry must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Note: Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photo, painting, graphic, advertisement or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.

The final decision regarding the suitability of all artworks for the exhibition in the Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol.

Framing Guidelines

All artwork , except for oil paintings, must be protected by a plexiglas or glass frame. All works, when framed, should be no larger than 30 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 4 inches deep including the outside dimensions of the frame. Please double check size before sending the entry to Washington. Due to wide participation of Member offices, framed work larger than the specified dimensions will be turned away.

Frames should be kept as simple and sturdy as possible. Metal frames are recommended.
No "snap on" frames with glass are to be used.
Plexiglas is better to use than glass over the artwork in order to avoid breakage. If glass is used, cover the entire surface completely with masking type prior to shipping.
Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be carefully prepared.
Use sturdy picture hangers. Two hooks should be attached at the right and the left sides of the back of the work in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly.
Since frames will be suspended by wire from overhead molding, please do not put wire between the hooks.
Do not attach labels, ribbon, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or plexiglas.
If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the back side which side is up with arrows.

As directed by the House Oversight and Standards of Official Conduct Committees, each district winner is responsible for framing his or her own entry. Any hardship cases should be assisted at the district level; works can no longer be framed by the Architect of the Capitol.

A copy of the Student Release Form must be attached to the back of the artwork along with an adhesive label.

That adhesive label should have the following information:
Congressional Member
State and District
Title of Piece
Medium
Student's name
Student Address and Phone Number

Suitability Guidelines

As outlined in these guidelines, the final decision regarding suitability for exhibition in the Capitol is left to a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol. While it is not the intent to censor any artwork, we do wish to avoid artwork that is potentially inappropriate for display in the Capitol.

Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission. In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed. It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect of the Capitol and any portions not in consonance with the Commission's policy will be omitted from the exhibit.