SOMERSET, Ky. - Congressman Hal Rogers invites all high school students in Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District to participate in the 2019 Congressional Art Competition. One student will be selected to represent southern and eastern Kentucky in Washington, DC. 

Last year, Lyjesta Buker, a student at North Laurel High School won the competition for our region. She had the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC last summer to see her own artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol Building. 

Every year, the winning artwork from each congressional district is displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year and the winning artist receives two free airline tickets to Washington, D.C. for an annual awards ceremony with winning artists from across the country. The winning artist may also be eligible for a college scholarship. 

"We have incredibly talented young artists right here in southern and eastern Kentucky, and this competition puts their work in the national spotlight," said Congressman Rogers. "I take great pride in seeing the winning artwork from our region on display in the nation's Capitol where more than three million people visit every year."

For competition guidelines and to download a student release form, visit https://halrogers.house.gov. The artwork must be two-dimensional. Framed work cannot exceed 26" x 26" x 4" and cannot weigh more than 15 pounds. Unframed artwork will be accepted in the congressional office; however, the winning artwork must be framed by the artist before being displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building. Artwork will be accepted in Congressman Rogers' district offices in Hazard, Prestonsburg and Somerset until May 6, 2019.

For more information, contact Danielle Smoot in Congressman Rogers' Somerset district office at 606-679-8346 or danielle.smoot@mail.house.gov. 

Click here for Competition Guidelines

Click here to download a student release form

The Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by the Congressional Institute, was initiated by Congress in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of young people living in their districts. More than 650,000 students have participated in the competition over the last 30 years. For information about the annual competition, visit halrogers.house.gov.