“What I Love About America”
ALL ENTRIES MUST FOLLOW THE “What I Love About America” THEME
(No other entries will be accepted)
2022 Congressional Art Competition Guidelines
This competition is open to high school students (grades 9-12). Participating students must reside (check here) within Texas's 36th Congressional District (Newton, Jasper, Tyler, Polk, Orange, Hardin, Liberty, and Chambers counties, as well as portions of southeastern Harris County).
All entries must follow the theme: “What I Love About America." America is a unique experiment – a nation birthed under the ideals of freedom and independence, where all are created equal and possess a divine right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A country such as this had never existed. Now, we’re the greatest country in the world. For this year’s Congressional Art Competition, Rep. Babin is eager to see an artistic interpretation of what each talented TX-36 student loves most about America.
Artwork must be two-dimensional and can be no larger than 26” x 26” x 4," including the frame (framing is not required). Artwork may not weigh more than 15 pounds.
Accepted media includes: oil, acrylics, watercolor, pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers (it is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed); collage lithographs, silkscreen, block prints; mixed media, computer-generated art; and photography. Artwork must be matted in order to display using push pins (i.e. no frames or plain paper). Each entry must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo (other than the student’s own), painting, graphic, advertisement, or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).
The first place entry will be displayed for one year in a national exhibit, representing Texas’ 36th Congressional District, in the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The second and third place entries will be displayed for one year in Congressman Babin’s Washington and District offices, respectively.
First, second, and third place winning artwork must be available for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the students earlier. Students should, therefore, submit artwork they will not need for other purposes. Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission. In accordance with this policy, artwork depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature is not allowed. Click here for the full list of rules for students and teachers.
2021 Congressional Art Competition Winner
Josye Meteer
“Oil Cars in the Early Morning"
Junior, Hardin-Jefferson High School – Sour Lake, Texas
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Intent to Participate Form Due: Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 5:00 PM CST
Teachers must declare the number of students who intend to participate by submitting an Intent to Participate Form.
Submission Due Date: Friday, April 29, 2022, at 5:00 PM CST
Teachers must email a high-resolution photograph of the participating artwork to tx36artcompetition@gmail.com. Artwork will not be accepted without a completed Student Information and Release Form.
Awards Reception and Presentation: Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST
Participating students, family members, and teachers are invited to an awards reception and presentation at Space Center Houston. At that time, the winning entry will be announced.
