Art Competition
Congresswoman Summer Lee, in partnership with the Congressional Institute, is excited to sponsor her third annual Congressional Art Competition! Our office is looking for talented young artists to create and submit one-of-a-kind pieces to represent Pittsburgh and the 12th Congressional District in the halls of Congress and in our DC and District Offices.
This competition will be open to all high school students within Pennsylvania’s 12th District, and will be open until April 14, 2025.
Once all of the submissions are received, Congresswoman Summer Lee and a panel of local artists will choose first, second and third place winners. An in-district ceremony will then take place to recognize the art and the artists!
The first place winner will also be invited to see their art displayed in the Capitol. The Congressional Institute and its sponsors have donated (2) round-trip tickets to Washington, DC for the Winner’s Reception at the Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Auditorium.
Please fill out this Student Release Form and send it back to SLeeArt@mail.house.gov to be considered: 2025 Student Release Form
The competition rules and guidelines can be found here: 2025 Rules and Guidelines
Have a question? Here is a guide to frequently asked questions: Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the Art Competition?
The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students (grades 7-12) who reside in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. The district includes the city of Pittsburgh, portions of Allegheny, and Westmoreland Counties. Please visit govtrack.us to confirm residency in the district.
What art can be submitted?
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
- Collages: must be two dimensional
- Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
- Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Computer-generated art
- Photographs
Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.
Students may submit up to two total pieces of artwork. Artwork does not have to be from this current academic year.
What must I submit to participate?
Two copies of the Student Release Form, signed by the teacher, student, and parent/guardian must be submitted with each piece to certify the originality of the piece. (One copy should be attached to the student’s submission.)
What is the deadline to submit?
The deadline to submit art is April 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted.
What happens if you are a winner?
All artworks will be judged (with only one award per student). The First, Second and Third Place winners will be announced at a local reception hosted by the Congresswoman.
The first-place winning artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the student earlier. Students should submit artwork they will not need for other purposes. The first prize winner will have the opportunity to attend the national winners’ reception in Washington, DC in June, and have their plane tickets to DC covered by Southwest Airlines.
The second place winner will have their artwork displayed at the Congresswoman’s Washington DC Office for a year.
The third place winner will have their artwork displayed at the Congresswoman’s District Office in East Liberty for a year.
How do I get my artwork to the Office?
Artwork pick-ups can be arranged with your school and drop offs will be accepted in the district office at 211 Suite 802 N. Whitfield St. Pittsburgh, Pa 15206
How do I contact the Office about the Art Competition?
For art in-take forms, guidelines, important dates, and any other information regarding the 2025 Congressional Art Competition, please contact our office at SLeeArt@mail.house.gov or call (412) 552-4505.
Students residing outside the district will be referred to their respective Member of Congress.