Congressional Art Competition opens for local students

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, announced his office is accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, which is open to high school students who live or attend school in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. The nationwide competition began in 1982 as a way for members of Congress to recognize and encourage student artists, a news release states. More than 650,000 high school students have participated since the program's creation. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2026. Once submitted, artwork will be displayed within the district until honorees are recognized at a reception. The winning entry will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Building complex in Washington, D.C., while three honorable mention selections will be exhibited in Latta's district offices. "Ohio's Fifth District is filled with incredibly gifted young artists, and the Congressional Art Competition provides a great opportunity to celebrate their talent. Every year, I am impressed by the originality and skill displayed in each submission, and I'm excited to see the creative artwork students will share this year," Latta said. Each student may submit one entry. Eligible artwork includes: • Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc. • Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers • Collages: must be two-dimensional • Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints • Mixed media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, etc. • Computer-generated art • Photography All entries must meet the following criteria: • The submission must be two-dimensional. • The submission must be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, including the frame. • It also must have a wire attached to the back suitable for hanging on a wall. • The submission must not weigh more than 15 pounds. • The submission must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. • It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed. • Work entered must be in the original medium and not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing. Framing rules apply only to the winning artwork. For information on submitting artwork or with questions about the competition, contact Barbara Orange at the Bowling Green office by calling 419-354-8700 or emailing barbara.orange@mail.house.gov.