Shimkus announces annual high school art contest

WASHINGTON – Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) is now accepting entries for the 2018 Congressional Art Competition. The contest is open to high school students in the 15th Congressional District. Entries are due by May 4.

"This is an annual competition that we are pleased to participate in," Shimkus said. "The winning artwork from my district will be displayed in Washington, DC, in a tunnel that connects the Cannon House Office Building to the Capitol. Thousands of staff and visitors will see the artwork each day."

Acceptable mediums include: paintings, drawings, collages, prints, photographs, computer-generated art, and mixed media. Artwork must be two-dimensional, no larger than 26 inches by 26 inches by four inches including the frame, cannot weigh more than 15 pounds, and must be original in content. Entry forms and a full list of guidelines are available at shimkus.house.gov/art.

The winning entry will be chosen by a panel from the district, and the winner will also be displayed on my website and Facebook Page.

The winning artist is then invited to participate in a ceremony in Washington, and Southwest Airlines will fly him or her and a guest out to DC for free.

Art teachers and participants may contact Jenny Pruitt, at 618-252-8271 or via email at Jenny.Pruitt@mail.house.gov, for more information.