Rep. Tim Walz kicked off the 2017 Congressional art competition by inviting high school students from across Minnesota’s 1st District to submit their artwork for the contest.

“I am excited to welcome 1st District high schoolers to participate in the 2017 Congressional art competition,” Walz said.“The chance to see winning artwork from talented students all across the country is my favorite part of walking between meetings with constituents in my D.C. office and votes on the House floor.  I can’t wait to see this year’s art submissions from talented students across southern Minnesota.”

Beginning in 1982, the Congressional art competition has served as an opportunity for members of Congress to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in each congressional district. Fillmore Central student Kassandra Back won last year’s 1st District competition with her oil landscape entitled, “Goodnight Moon.”

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 in grades nine through 12 who live in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District or attend high school in the district.

The following types of artwork can be submitted:

• Paintings — including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
• Drawings — including colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels and charcoal
• Collage
• Prints — including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
• Mixed media
• Computer generated art
• Photography
• For a copy of the guidelines and for the student information and release form, visit walz.house.gov.

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 14. The Rochester district office is at 1202 1/2 Seventh St. NW, Suite 211. The Mankato district office is at 527 1/2 S. Front St.

Professional artists will determine the winner of the competition, which will be announced on May 8.