Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional district.

The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in the 4thDistrict. The over-all winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nation-wide.

Art works entered in the contest may be up to 28 inches by 28 inches (including the frame) and may be up to 4 inches in depth. The art work may be

• Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
• Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
• Collage
• Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
• Mixed Media
• Computer Generated Art
• Photography

All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution. 

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

The 2010 winner was Aimee Pitcher from SouthTahoe High School.  

For more information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition please contact Congressman McClintock's district office at 916-786-5560.

Students wishing to enter should fax a student release / entry form to the attention of Kathy Arts in Congressman McClintock’s office at 916-786-6364.  Students may also mail the student release / entry form to the following address:

Congressman Tom McClintock
8700 Auburn Folsom Road, Ste. 100
Granite Bay, CA  95746

Artwork should be sent to the following address the week of April 25th, 2011, to be received no later than Friday, April 29th, 2011:

The Fourth District Congressional Art Competition
C/o Placer Arts
808 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA  95603
HOURS:  TUE – FRI    10 AM to 3 PM
Please call in advance if hand delivering - 530-885-5670

Please ensure that all artwork is ready for hanging and has a copy of the Student Release Form attached to the back.  All the artwork submitted for the Congressional Art Competition will be on display at Placer Arts for the public to view until a date and location for the reception has been determined.

A panel of qualified artists will judge the artwork Monday, May 9th whereby winners will be announced.  Please check the website after May 9th for information on the upcoming Fourth District Art Competition reception.  You may contact Kathy Arts in Congressman McClintock's district office at 916-786-5560 if you should have any questions.

Guidelines and Student Release Form:

• 2011 Congressional Art Competition Guidelines
• 2011 Entry and Student Release Form (.pdf) (print out form and then fill-in)