SW Virginia News

Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors the Congressional Art Competition for high school students. This competition serves as a platform for young artists to represent the Ninth Congressional District in Washington, D.C. The theme for the 2025 contest is “Commemorating Virginia’s Contribution to the American Revolution.” High school students from the Ninth District can participate in the Artistic Discovery Contest.

To enter the competition, students must submit a photograph of their original artwork to either the Christiansburg or Abingdon office by 5:00 pm on Monday, April 28. Submissions must be accompanied by a completed student information release form, which is available on the contest page.

The competition's overall winner will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year and receive an invitation to a reception in Washington. The second and third place entries will be displayed in the Christiansburg and Abingdon offices, respectively.

Eligible artworks can include paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photographs. They must be up to 26 inches by 26 inches in size, including the frame, with a maximum depth of four inches and a weight limit of 15 pounds. All entries need to be original in concept, design, and execution.

The Congressional Art Competition was established in 1982 to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of young people across the U.S. Since its inception, over 650,000 students have participated in this nationwide event.

In 2024, Rishi Nair from Blacksburg High School won the Congressional Art Competition in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District with his piece titled ‘Mabry Mill.’

For more details about the annual Congressional Art Competition, individuals are encouraged to contact the Abingdon office at (276) 525-1405 or visit the Congressional Art Competition website.