Rep. Joe Wilson makes call for art from young artists

Submission deadline: Friday, May 29, 2020 (in Aiken or Columbia offices for Second District residents)


The deadline for this year’s Congressional Art Competition is approaching.

Rep. Wilson is encouraging all high school artists in the Second District to participate:

With most students in the Second District currently learning from home, this competition is a great use of spare time. This competition is a way to recognize the talent of young artists here in the Second District and across the nation.

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students, and one winner is selected to represent each participating district. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol with art from other participating districts around the country. The winning artist from each district will win a trip to Washington and a $3,000 scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design.

South Carolinians in other Congressional districts: find out if your district is participating by visiting your House member’s website.

UPDATE: The initial post listed the deadline as Friday, May 1. The deadline was changed shortly after publication and this post was updated after receiving notification.


Theme and accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork

Artwork must be two-dimensional and represent this year’s theme, The Palmetto State: Capturing the Spirit of South Carolina. Artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece it must be framed. Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.

  • 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
  • Entries must be original in concept, design, and execution, and must be entered in the original medium (i.e. not a scan or copy of original work).

Find the competition rules and regulations here. Second District residents who need any additional information or have any questions about the Congressional Art Competition, please contact Sam Orr in the Midlands office at 803.939.0041 or email him at sam.orr@mail.house.gov.


Rep. Wilson congratulates Julia Rayfield of Dreher High School in Columbia, selected the 2019 Congressional Art Competition Winner. “Her winning piece titled “Entangled” is a remarkable and tasteful representation of the talent we have in the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. A special thank you goes to her parents, Jennifer and Patrick Rayfield, and her art teacher, Ms. Jennifer Gorlewski.”

Painting by Dreher High School artist Julia Rayfield, the 2019 Second District of S.C. winner

“Entagled” from Julia Rayfield of Dreher High School, the Second Congressional District of South Carolina’s Congressional Art Competition Winner


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