Chris Van Hollen February, 2008

Member of Congress

51 Monroe Street, Suite 507

Rockville, MD 20850

\(301\) 424-3501

**Congressional Art Competition**

**Guidelines 2008**

**GENERAL GUIDELINES**

-   The competition is open to high school students only. Exceptions may
    be made for schools that have 7^th^ through 12^th^ grades in one
    building.

-   **Only one entry permitted per student.**

-   In order to allow an artwork to hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the
    U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are necessary:

    -   Two-dimensional only

    -   Each artwork **when framed** can be **no larger than** 30 inches
        by 30 inches to the outside dimensions of the frame

    -   No more than 4 inches in depth

    -   Artwork must arrive in Washington by the time specified and
        framed to the appropriate framing guidelines (see below)

-   Artwork categories are as follows:

    -   Paintings: (oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.)

    -   Drawings: (Pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink,
        markers)

    -   Collage: Must be two- dimensional

    -   Prints: (Lithographs, silkscreen, block prints)

    -   Mixed Media

    -   Computer generated art

    -   Photography

-   A copy of the Student Information/Release Form must be signed by the
    teacher and the student to certify the originality of the art piece
    and attached to the back of the artwork.

-   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.

-   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.

-   The winning entry will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of
    the exhibition and cannot be returned earlier. The runner-ups will
    hang for one year in Congressman Van Hollen's offices. The entries
    selected for inclusion in the Strathmore exhibit will hang for the
    entire month of May. **Students, therefore, should submit artwork
    they will not need for other purposes during this time period.**

    **FRAMING GUIDELINES**

-   Two-dimensional work only. All work must be framed.

-   **Framed work** should be **no larger than** 30 inches high, 30
    inches wide, and 4 inches deep **including** the **outside**
    dimensions of the frame. (Please double

> check size before submitting; framed work larger than the dimensions
> will not be accepted.)

-   **All work**, except for oil paintings, needs to be protected by
    Plexiglas or glass and framed.

-   Frames should be kept as simple and as sturdy as possible. Wood or
    metal frames are recommended.

> **(over)**

-   No "snap on" frames with glass may be used.

-   Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be
    carefully prepared.

-   Use sturdy picture hangers. Two screw eyes or other acceptable
    hardware should be attached, 1/4 of the way down from the top of the
    frame (see diagram below), 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. **Please do not place wires between these
    hangers**, since frames will be suspended by overhead wire for
    Strathmore exhibit.

-   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 back
    side which side is up.

-   A copy of the Student Information/Release Form **must be** attached
    to the back of the artwork.

    **SUITABILITY GUIDELINES**

-   As outlined in these guidelines, the final decision regarding
    suitability for exhibition in the Capitol is left to 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 artwork
    that is potentially inappropriate for display in the Capitol.

-   Artwork must adhere to the Policy of the House Office Building
    Commission. In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting
    subjects of contemporary political controversy or of a
    sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed. It is necessary
    that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect
    of the Capitol and any portions not in consonance with the
    Commission's policy will be omitted from the exhibit.

    Hardware

    [Back of Work]{.underline}

Screw Eyes Acceptable Hardware Do NOT use these