Moline, Illinois - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) today announced that his offices will soon be accepting entries for the 30th Annual Congressional Art Competition. Each high school in the 17th Congressional District has been invited to nominate up to five students to participate in the competition, an opportunity to acknowledge and promote artistic ability in each Congressional District and ultimately throughout the country.
"This is a great opportunity to show our area's young people that their hard work and creativity are valued," Schilling said. "The talent and imagination among our district's young people blew me away last year, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this year's entries."
For this year's judging, a total of three votes will determine the winners. Two local art experts will be the core judges, with the third vote cast by a compilation of spectator votes at the Art Competition reception to take place on Saturday May 5 from 1-3pm at Augustana College's Art Museum in Rock Island. Sponsored by the Congressional Institute, the first place finisher and one guest will receive a free flight to Washington, DC to attend the 2012 Congressional Art Competition Reception on Capitol Hill, where their artwork will be displayed for the next year in a corridor of the United States Capitol Building dedicated to the talent of today's youth. It will represent the 17th Congressional District of Illinois among hundreds of pieces from other congressional districts all over the country. The remaining four artists are invited to have their pieces featured in the Schilling's district offices for the remainder of the year.
The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 as a way to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of our country's youth. Since it was launched, more than 650,000 students have participated nationwide. Interested students or parents can contact Claudia Ridenour with questions at (309) 757-7630.
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