Winner earns trip to Washington, art is displayed in Capitol for a year

WASHINGTON— High school artists are encouraged to enter their original works in the 31st Annual Congressional Arts Competition by April 20, announced U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz.

For the 20th year in a row, Pastor is hosting the arts competition in his district to showcase young artistic talent. A winning entry will be selected and sent to Washington to be exhibited for a year in a corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of visitors will view it along with winning entries from throughout the country.

The boundaries of the Fourth Congressional District, which Pastor represents, are roughly from South Mountain to Bethany Home Road, and 83rd Avenue to 48th Street. The Fourth District also includes all of Guadalupe and parts of south Glendale. Students may visit www.house.gov and enter their home zip code at the top of the page where it reads “Find Your Representative” to determine if they live in Pastor’s district.

The winner of the Fourth District’s competition will be flown with a guardian to Washington and recognized at an event on Capitol Hill in the summer. Other student artists from throughout the country also will be acknowledged. This annual competition is sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus and conducted by members of Congress in their respective home districts. The art competition was launched in 1982 to provide members the opportunity to recognize young artists.

Students may participate through their high school art department or by contacting Congressman Pastor’s Phoenix District Office at 602-256-0551.

The original artwork categories are: paintings, drawings, collage, prints, mixed media, computer generated art and photography. More information about the competition’s guidelines are available on Rep. Pastor’s Congressional website, www.pastor.house.gov, or by contacting the Phoenix District Office at 602-256-0551.

The deadline for submitting original artwork is April 20, 2012. It must be dropped off on that day between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Art Institute of Phoenix, 2233 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix.

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For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012

Media Contact: Maura Saavedra Cordova, 602-252-2653