Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., is encouraging high school students in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, which includes part of Rowan County, to submit entries for the 2015 Congressional Art Competition, which is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize talented young artists and promote the valuable role meaningful art plays in our society.

“Every year our country’s top young artists have the chance to display their work in the United States Capitol where it will be seen by visitors from around the world,” said Foxx. “North Carolina’s artists are among the best in the nation, and I always look forward to seeing the strong talent of our local young people.”

The following are guidelines for the competition:

• Only high school students residing in the 5th Congressional District may compete. Students may be enrolled at public, private or home schools.
• Each submission must be accompanied by a completed Congressional Art Competition release form, which is available on Foxx’s website.
• All artwork must be original and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws.
• All artwork must be two-dimensional.
• Artwork must be framed by the artist at the time of submission. When framed, the piece can be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide and 4 inches deep.
• Acceptable mediums include: paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art and photographs.
• The deadline for submissions to Foxx’s office is Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m.
• Entries should be submitted to Foxx’s Clemmons office at 3540 Clemmons Road, Suite 125, Clemmons, NC 27012.

As in years past, Foxx is inviting the online community to decide this year’s winner. Following the submission deadline, a photo of each student’s artwork will be posted on Foxx’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RepVirginiaFoxx. The piece that receives the highest number of “likes” will win, and the artist will have the opportunity to travel to the U.S. Capitol for the installation of his or her work. Two runners-up will also be selected, and their artwork will be on display in one of Foxx’s district offices for one year. Online voting will begin on Monday, April 20, at noon and will end on Monday, May 4, at noon.

Those with questions regarding the 2015 Congressional Art Competition may contact Foxx’s office at 202-225-2071.