Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson invites high school students across the Second Congressional District to enter the 2017 High School Congressional Art Competition. This annual competition encourages Idaho's aspiring student artists to showcase their talents to the public, while recognizing their achievements alongside hundreds of other students and members of Congress from across the country.

Earlier this month, school administrators and art instructors across the state received an official invitation, entry forms, and a list of rules and guidelines for the competition. Additional information can be found on Congressman Simpson’s website. The entry deadline for the competition is March 17, 2017. Artwork can be mailed or submitted at any of Congressman Simpson’s Idaho district offices in Boise, Twin Falls, or Idaho Falls.

Students that enter the competition will have a chance to win a round trip flight to Washington D.C. to attend a special reception and see their artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Building. One grand-prize winner from Congressman Simpson’s district will be selected during a local reception in April, and will visit Washington D.C. in June. This year’s theme is titled, Many Faces, One Idaho, and encourages students to create a work of art about the 21st century challenges facing the state. Students are asked to create one piece of artwork based on their interpretation of this theme.

“As one of the fastest growing states in the country, Idaho’s landscape is changing. Rural counties are giving way to urban cities, sparse populations are growing and diversifying, and economies are adapting to new technology and consumer preferences,” said Simpson. “With these changes, many residents are asking themselves what does it means to be an Idahoan today?”

All students that enter the competition will be invited to a local reception at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls in April. All submitted artwork will be showcased from April 8th through April 29th at the museum.

Since the Congressional Art Competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the competition.