Last month, Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) announced the opening of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition. High school students throughout the 10th Conressional District are eligible and encouraged to enter.

Students in grades nine through twelve may submit two-dimensional entries, such as paintings, drawings, photos, computer-generated art, collages and prints, to his office for consideration. The first-place entry will represent Georgia’s 10th District for one year in the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

“Each year, I’m proud to join my colleagues from across the nation in presenting the Congressional Art Competition,” Hice said. “I’m always amazed by the enthusiasm and talent of our students, and I appreciate the opportunity to showcase their artwork to the community and feature one special piece to represent our district in our nation’s capital.”

There are 14 congressional districts in Georgia; and, since the nationwide event began in 1982, more than 725,000 students have participated in the event throughout the country, said Hice's District Director Jessica Hayes. Nationwide, one piece of art from each district is selected and will be displayed in the Capitol for one year.

"After it's on display for one year, we ship it (the art) back to them," Hayes said. Three volunteers judge the art entered in the competition and select first, second and third place. Sometimes, there is an honorable mention. 

"Only first plae goes to Washington."

With highly restrictive pandemic regulations still in effect at the U.S. Capitol, the Congressional Institute was unable to host the traditional in-person reception for the first-place winners of last year’s competition.  Instead, they provided the student-winners with two copies of a full-color book that exhibits each first-place artwork, and they posted a video honoring the winners.  You can view last year’s winning artwork, Cadence Dalton’s watercolor painting, entitled “Brushes and Paint,” in the video at https://www.congressionalinstitute.org/art-competition/.

To access the student release form and competition guidelines, visit Congressman Hice’s website at hice.house.gov. All entries must be original in concept and design and submitted to one of the Congressman’s three district offices by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13. For questions regarding contest details, contact Mark Elliott at (706) 840-3927 or Mark.Elliott@mail.house.gov.