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Art Competition

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition called the Artistic Discovery Contest is sponsored by the Congressional Institute. Each U.S. congressional district is given the opportunity to participate in this contest as a way to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of thier high school students. Each district will choose one piece of artwork to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. This year's theme for Texas' 25th Congressional District is Texas Live! The theme focuses on the musicians and performing arts unique to Texas culture. 

  • High school students residing in Texas' 25th Congressional District are eligible to submit one piece of artwork.
  • Email an attached photo of your artwork (including dimensions) along with your contact information to Brooks.akin@mail.house.gov by Friday, April 30, 2021. 
  • Three winners from the 25th District will be chosen by Friday, May 7, 2021.
  • The first place winner will have his/her artwork displayed in the Capitol for a year. 
  • Second and third place winners will have their artwork displayed in Congressman Williams' Austin and Cleburne district offices.
  • Winners will be sent a FedEx label to ship their artwork to Congressman Williams' Washington, DC office.
  • If you have any questions about this year's theme, submission process, or regaring your entry, please contact our office at (202)225-9896 or feel free to e-mail Brooks.akin@mail.house.gov. 

All entries must be: framed and weigh no more than 15 pounds (including frame) and measure no more than 26 inches wide by 26 inches tall by 4 inches deep (including frame).

Entries may be:

  • Paintings – including oil, acrylics and watercolor
  • Drawings – including pastels, pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, ink and markers
  • Collages – must be two dimensional
  • Prints – including lithographs, silkscreen and block prints
  • Mixed Media – use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor
  • Computer Generated Art
  • Photographs

Entries 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.

Entries must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.