EVERETT, Wash., March 31, 2023—Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) is inviting high school-aged students who live or attend school in Washington’s Second Congressional District to showcase their artistic talents in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition.
Art submissions and forms are due to Larsen’s office no later than Monday, May 1, at 5:00 p.m. PT. All art entries must be original in concept, design and execution. Interested students can find details and a full list of contest rules on Larsen’s website.
“I am encouraging the many gifted young artists in Northwest Washington to submit their artwork to the 2023 Congressional Art Competition,” said Larsen. “I am excited to see this year’s submissions and highlight the talent Washington’s Second Congressional District has to offer.”
The U.S. House of Representatives holds the annual Congressional Art Competition to encourage and recognize artistic talent in each congressional district. Since 1982, hundreds of thousands of students nationwide have participated in the high school visual art competition. In 2022, Kamiak High School’s Toko Kameda won the district-wide competition with her piece, “Double-layered,” which has been on display in the U.S. Capitol for the past year.
“Art is a way for me to be free from the stresses and restrictions of life, and it is a place where I can be expressive of the emotions that I usually do not show on the outside,” said Kameda. “I am thankful to my teacher and peers in my art class, who supported me through positive encouragement and accurate advice throughout my watercolor journey this year.”
Last year, Larsen’s office received 14 eligible artwork submissions from across the Second District. In addition to Larsen, Sculpture NorthWest President Therese Kingsbury and Schack Art Center Executive Director Judy Tuohy scored the pieces on their creativity, the execution of the artist’s skill and the way each piece tells a story or provokes a reaction.
In 2021, Lynnwood High School student Susanna Lee won the competition with her piece, “You and Your Future.”
How to Participate
The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school-aged students (grades 9-12) who live or attend school in the Second District; students can verify whether they are Second District residents or attend school in the district here. Interested students can find details and a full list of contest rules on Larsen’s website.
Entry forms must accompany the submitted art piece and be signed by the student, a parent or guardian, and a school faculty member; the form can be accessed here. Forms and art submissions are due by Monday, May 1, at 5:00 p.m. PT. Forms can also be mailed or delivered with art pieces to Larsen’s Everett office:
Office of Rep. Rick Larsen – Everett
Re: Art Competition
Wall Street Building
2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 9F
Everett, WA 98201
Contact Larsen’s District Office for More Information
Students needing assistance in delivering their artwork to Larsen’s office can contact Kevin Phan in Larsen’s office via phone at 425-252-3188 or via email at Kevin.Phan@mail.house.gov. Participants will be honored in June at a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Plans for a district celebration will be announced soon.
For more information on the 2023 Congressional Art Competition, visit https://larsen.house.gov/helping-you/2023-art-competition.
Author: Mario Lotmore
