Congressional Art Competition exhibition to open in Griffith Gallery

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. The competition provides an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.

This year, the artwork submitted for the competition by students living within U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert's congressional district will be displayed in Griffth Gallery on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.

The entries will be exhibited beginning Monday, Nov. 19, and will be displayed until winners are announced in an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in W.M. Turner Auditorium followed by a reception in Griffith Gallery.

First place winners will also be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Since it began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative's office, and panels of local artists in each district select the winning entries.

First place winning entries will be displayed in the hallway of the U.S. Capitol; second place winning entries will be displayed in Gohmert's office in Washington; and third place winning entries will be displayed in Gohmert's district office in Tyler.