Rep. Tim Walz recently kicked off the 2016 Congressional Art Competition by inviting high school students from across Minnesota’s First District to submit their artwork for the contest.

“I am excited to participate in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition,” Representative Walz said. “The chance to see winning artwork from talented students all across the country is my favorite part of walking between votes on the House floor and meetings with constituents in my office in Washington. I can’t wait to see the winning pieces from the talented students in southern Minnesota.”

Beginning in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition serves as an opportunity for members of Congress to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in each congressional district. Winona student Jillian Hanesworth won last year’s First District competition with her self-portrait entitled, “Self Elemental.”

The first place winner will have their artwork displayed in the Cannon Tunnel, leading to the U.S. Capitol, for an entire year. The art contest is free and open to students to high school students in the ninth to 12th grade who attend school in the First Congressional District.

Paintings, including oil, acrylics and watercolor; drawings, including colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels and charcoal; collages; prints, including lithographs, silkscreen and block prints; mixed media; computer generated art and photography are all types of artwork that can be submitted.

To enter into this year’s Congressional Art Competition, please submit a framed work of art along with the Student Information and Release Form to the Rochester or Mankato district office by April 15, 2016. The Rochester office is at 1202 1/2  Seventh St. NW, Suite 211, Rochester, MN 55901. The Mankato office is at 527 1/2  S. Front St., Mankato, MN 56001.

Professional artists will determine the winner of the competition, which will be announced on May 6.

For further information students can visit walz.house.gov and click on the “art competition” link under constituent services.