U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III Opens Congressional Art Competition for Fourth District Students

Think your artwork is good enough to hang in the U.S. Capitol?

Congressman Joe Kennedy III announced last week his office is participating in the annual Congressional Art Competition, a high school visual arts contest. 

Now through April 19, 2013, high school students in the Fourth Congressional District can submit paintings, drawings, collages, computer-generated art, prints, mixed media and photography pieces to Kennedy's office on Crafts Street in Newton.

An independent arts panel that includes several artists and art professionals from across the Fourth District will select a finalist for each media category. The panel will then choose a "Best in Show" piece from those finalists.

The "Best in Show" piece from the Fourth District will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year.  

“The Congressional Art Competition is a fantastic opportunity for students across the Fourth District to showcase their artistic talent,” Kennedy said in a press release. “We are lucky to have a very accomplished group of local arts professionals serve as panelists for the competition.”

The Fourth District independent arts panel includes Attleboro Arts Museum Executive Director Mim Fawcett (Chair), Coolidge Corner Muddy River Gallery Former Curator Tracy Hoy Clarke, Hopkinton Center for the Arts Artistic Director Kris Waldman and Greater Fall River Art Association President Tiago Finato.

The art competition first began in 1982 and since its launch, more than 650,000 high school students have participated, Kennedy's website said. It is open to public and private high school students only, but some exceptions may be made for high schools that include grades 7-12. 

For more information on how to submit artwork, visit Kennedy’s website or call his Newton district office at 617-332-3333.