On behalf of Congressman Brian Baird, I extend an invitation to high school students in Southwest Washington to participate in the 2009 Congressional Art Competition.

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students grades 9-12 who either reside in or attend a school in Washington’s Third Congressional District (WA03).  Each school is encouraged to submit up to five entries of original artwork for consideration.

High schools must submit their entries via digital photo to repbairdartcompetition@gmail.com. The due date for art work submission is March 24, 2009. The entries will then be evaluated by a blue ribbon panel of judges from the seven counties within WA03.

The winner of the competition will have his or her artwork displayed for one year in the Cannon House Office Building in the Corridor that leads to the U.S. Capitol Building.  The winner will also receive free airfare for themselves and two guests to attend the annual ribbon-cutting ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 24, 2009.  The second and third place winners will be invited to display their artwork in the Congressman’s district offices.

Below you will find the 2009 guidelines for the competition.  The Congressman’s office will send a formal press release shortly and will also post this information on the Congressman’s website at www.house.gov/baird.  You may also contact me at (360) 695-6292 or Chris.Schaeffer@mail.house.gov if you have any questions regarding the competition.

Please share this information with your fellow education leaders and encourage your students to participate in this exciting national competition.  The Congressman looks forward to seeing your students’ submissions and acknowledging their extraordinary work.

I have included a list of rules and restrictions that apply to the artwork below:

2009 Congressional Art Competition Guidelines

Eligibility:

• Students in grades 9-12 who live in and/or attend a school located in WA03.
• Not sure if your residence or school is located in WA03?  Go to http://www.house.gov/ and enter your zip code to find out.

Submission Guidelines:

• The deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
• High schools must submit entries via digital photo to repbairdartcompetition@gmail.com by this date.
• Each school in WA03 is encouraged to submit up to five entries for consideration.
• Each student is allowed to submit one piece of artwork.
• Interested students should contact their art teacher or principal to request that their artwork be considered for submission as one of their school’s five entries.
• Submissions should clearly state the following information for each entry: student’s name, grade, high school, the title of the piece, and the medium used for each entry
• All entries should be accompanied by a completed student release form certifying originality (this form is attached).
• Student release forms may be sent separately to the Vancouver office via mail or fax:O

Office of Congressman Baird
ATTN: Congressional Art Competition
750 Anderson Street, Suite B
Vancouver, WA 98661
Fax: 360-695-6197

Artwork Categories (all submissions should clearly state the medium used):

• Only two-dimensional artwork will be considered, as it must be able to hang for display
• Paintings (oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.)
• Drawings (pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers, etc.)
• Collage: must be two dimensional
• Prints (lithographs, silkscreen, block prints)
• Mixed media
• Computer generated art
• Photography
  
  • All photographs must have been taken in WA03 to be eligible for submission. Submissions should include the general location information.

Originality:

• Each entry must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws.
• Note: Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photo, painting or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and WILL NOT be accepted!

Framing Guidelines for Winning Artwork:

These rules apply only to the winning artwork, but students and teachers should be aware of the size constraints when considering which pieces to submit:

As directed by the House Oversight and Standards of Official Conduct Committees, each district winner is responsible for framing his or her winning entry.
In order to allow a work of art to hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are necessary:

· Only two-dimensional artwork will be accepted.

• Each work of art can be no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches to the outside dimensions of the frame.
• Artwork cannot be more than 4 inches in depth.
• Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 pounds.
• Artwork must arrive in Washington framed to the appropriate framing guidelines.
• Frames should be as simple and as sturdy as possible. Metal frames are recommended.
• Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be carefully prepared.
• All work, except for oil paintings, should be protected by Plexiglas or glass.
• Plexiglas is better to use than glass over the artwork in order to avoid breakage. If glass is used, cover the entire surface completely with masking tape prior to shipping.
• Use sturdy hangers. Two hooks should be attached at the top and at the right and the left sides of the back of the work in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly.
• No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used.
• Since frames will be suspended by wire from overhead molding, please do not put wire between the hooks.
• Do not attach labels, ribbon, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or Plexiglas.
• If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the backside which side is up.
• A copy of the Student Information Release Form must be attached to the back of the artwork along with an adhesive label.
• Label must include the following information: State, Members name, Title of piece, Student’s name, Student’s address and phone number, and Medium.

Suitability Guidelines:

• The final decision regarding suitability for the exhibition in the Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol. While it is not the intent to censor any artwork, we do wish to avoid the situation of hanging artwork that is potentially controversial and inappropriate for display in the Capitol.
• Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission, which prohibits exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or of a sensationalistic or gruesome nature. It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect of the Capitol and candidates should be aware that any portions not in consonance with the Commission’s policy will be omitted from the exhibit.
• All questions regarding the competition can be directed to Chris Schaeffer at 360-695-6292 or Chris.Shaeffer@mail.house.gov.

Questions:

Feel free to contact me with any additional questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Chris Schaeffer
Staff Assistant
Congressman Brian Baird
360-695-6292