Washington, D.C.  - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) today encouraged high school art students in the 5^th Congressional District of Michigan to submit their artwork for the 2009 Congressional Art Competition. The annual competition is held in more than 200 congressional districts nationally to highlight the importance of art education.  

The 5^th district’s winning submission will be on exhibit in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Capitol for one year, and the artist may also be eligible to receive a $1,500 per year scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, which has campus locations in Atlanta, Georgia and Lacoste, France. Finalists of the competition will have their artwork displayed on a rotating basis in Congressman Kildee’s district offices over the next year.

“The pieces submitted in the past have been both amazing and encouraging. I have always been impressed with the imaginative abilities displayed by our budding generation,” said Kildee. “It is with great pride that I can offer to young artists the opportunity to display their work in the nation’s Capitol and to compete for a college scholarship.”  

Students of public and private high schools, as well as of alternative or vocational schools, are invited to submit their artwork. Entries must be of original concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Artwork categories are as follows: painting, drawing, collage, print, mixed media, computer generated or photography, and must be:

• from a student who attends a high school located in Michigan’s 5^th Congressional District
• two-dimensional (no sculptures); and
• no larger than 30”x30”x4” including the frame.

A panel of local art professionals will select the winner and finalists. To receive a copy of the official guidelines or additional information, please visit www.house.gov/kildee/art_competition.shtml or contact Lucetia Manwaring of Congressman Kildee’s staff at (989) 755-8906 or (800) 662-2685.

Artwork must be delivered no later than April 24, 2009 by 5:00 p.m. to one of Congressman Kildee’s district offices listed below:

Bay City Office                      Saginaw Office                                  Flint Office

916 Washington Ave.                 515 North Washington Ave.                    432 N. Saginaw

Suite 205                                   Suite 401                                              Suite 410

Bay City, MI 48708                     Saginaw, MI 48607                                Flint, MI 48502