Congress Wants To See Teen Artists’ Work

PALM HARBOR, FL — U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has put out a call to high school students with artistic talents to submit their entries for the 2017 Congressional Art Competition.

“I encourage all high school artists from my district in Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties to submit their best work for the 2017 Congressional Art Competition,” Bilirakis said in a Thursday, March 30 statement. “The competition is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the creative talents of Florida’s 12th District. I look forward to welcoming one lucky winner to the nation’s capital to be recognized among the best student artists in the country. Good luck to all our local young artists.”

The program is open to all “artistically-gifted” high school students. One overall winner from Bilirakis’ congressional district will be selected to have work displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year. The winner will also receive round-trip airfare for two to Washington, D.C., to attend an awards ceremony with other artists selected from across the country.

Students must submit their entries to their local art teach for consideration. The deadline to enter nominations is April 28. Each art teacher may enter up to four student pieces in the competition. Entries will be judged by a local panel of art experts.

For more information, visit the Congressional Art Competition website.

Photo credits: Alexander Mercier of Odessa, the 2016 District 12 winner, with U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. Mercier’s hand-drawn portrait of his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, earned him last year's title. Images courtesy of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office.