Art Competition

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

The competition is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The artist will receive two complimentary tickets to Washington DC to attend the annual awards ceremony. The exhibit in Washington DC will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on the Congressional Art Competition page. 

The following is a summary of the Congressional Art Competition rules:

The competition is open to high school students who live in the district. Artwork must be the creation of a single student. Students may not collaborate on an entry. One entry per student.

Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. It is not a requirement to frame your piece to submit to the competition, but please keep the measurements above in mind. Congresswoman Dexter’s office will send the winning piece to Washington, DC for display. The winner is responsible for framing their own artwork with guidance from our office.

Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:

  • Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
  • Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings 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

Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.

Artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel for the duration of the exhibition. Students should only submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.

Please refer to the official rules and release form for the competition below:

2025 Rules and Regulations for Students and Teachers
2025 Student Release Form

For more information, please visit the Congressional Institute’s website at https://www.house.gov/educators-and-students/congressional-art-competition.

Deadline & Submission: 

All entries for this competition must be received in Congresswoman Dexter’s District Office no later than 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025. Art may be mailed or dropped off to the office. Call 503-231-2300 or email maxine.dexter.md@mail.house.gov to arrange an appointment to drop off in-person.

A TYPED copy of the Student Information and Release Form, signed by a teacher, a parent or guardian, and the student, must be securely attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

District Office Address: 

911 NE 11th Ave # 200

Portland, OR  97232

Please call 503-231-2300 or email maxine.dexter.md@mail.house.gov with any questions.