Congressional Art Competition
Each year, my colleagues and I in the House of Representatives participate in a nationwide high school art competition sponsored by the Congressional Institute.
The Congressional Art Competition is a way to recognize the talent of young artists here in the Second Congressional District of South Carolina and across the nation.
This competition is open to all high school students, and one winner is selected to represent the Second District. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol with art from all participating districts around the country. This is truly a spectacular exhibit - one that I encourage all to come and see if you are ever in Washington.
Congratulations to Kinsleigh Ringus from Lexington High School, on being the 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner for South Carolina’s Second District. For the past 40 years, the Congressional Art Competition has inspired and encouraged young artists.
"Light of Freedom" by Kinsleigh Ringus
Here are some specific details about the submissions for the 2025 competition:
Artwork must be two-dimensional and represent this year's theme: South Carolina is on my mind -- and each entry must include at least one official South Carolina State Symbol. Click here for a list of official state symbols.
Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must be framed. Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.
Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (charcoal and pastel must be fixed)
- Collages: must be two-dimensional
- Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
- Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Computer-generated art
- Photographs
Entries must be original in concept, design, and execution, and must be entered in the original medium (i.e., not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing). It must not violate U.S. copyright laws.
All submissions must be delivered to Congressman Wilson’s district offices in the Midlands or Aiken/Barnwell by 5PM on Friday April 25, 2025.
If you would like any additional information or have any questions about the Congressional Art Competition, please contact Byron Thomas in the Midlands office at byron.thomas@mail.house.gov or (803) 939-0041.
Important Documents