‘Fear Not,” by Drake Smith

Last year, Drake Swift of Batavia was chosen as the winner from the 14th District Congressional Art Competition. His winning piece, “Fear Not,” is presently one of those featured on the Congressional Art Competition website and physically on Capitol Hill.

Each legislator who represents a part of Kane County — Hultgren, Tammy Duckworth, Bill Foster and Peter Roskam —  have artwork from one student hanging in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

‘Tokyo,’ by Ryoka Lulu Matsuno

The 2016 Congressional Art Competition for high school students officially is under way for 2016. The winner’s artwork will hang in the Capitol in for an entire year.

Hundreds of thousands of high school students have participated since the Congressional Art Competition was created in 1982. In addition to having artwork shown in the Capitol, each winner receives a round trip ticket to Washington.

Entries for the competition are now being accepted and must be submitted by Friday, April 15, 2016. The entry only needs to be framed if it is selected as the winner to be hung in the U.S. Capitol.

For any additional questions or to obtain a copy of the guidelines and student information/release forms, please visit the official Congressional Art Competition website. For submissions to Hultgren’s office, contact Ruth Richardson at 630-584-2734.

SOURCES: Randy Hultgren’s Office news release, 2016 Congressional Art Competition website

How to Enter the 2016 Art Competition

• Contact your representative to confirm your district’s participation and obtain specific guidance.
• Review the 2016 Art Competition Rules and Regulations for Students and Teachers.
• The 2016 Student Information/Release Form must be completed. Visit your representative’s website to request a copy or to complete the Form online
• Follow the 2016 Art Submission Checklist.
• Submit to your representative by the deadline specified on their website.