Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) invites all interested high school students to participate in the 2013 Congressional Arts Competition.

A tradition since 1982, this annual art competition offers high school students who reside in the Fourth Congressional District of Virginia an opportunity to exhibit their artwork in the United States Capitol.

“Each piece of artwork tells the story of a student from our district,” Forbes said, “and every year I look forward to seeing all the different submissions we will receive. The Congressional Arts Competition is privileged to be able to honor such talented students and provide an opportunity for young artists to showcase their creations.”

Every year, each Member of Congress is given the opportunity to choose one piece of art from his or her congressional district to display in the Cannon Tunnel, a path tread by many visitors and members of Congress as they make their way to the U.S. Capitol Building.

The winner from the Fourth District will also be invited to Washington, D.C., to meet Congressman Forbes and attend the unveiling ceremony in June.

Last year’s winner from Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District was Petja Doukova, a Colonial Heights resident who attended Colonial Heights High School. Her piece “Untitled” featured a stippling of a baby sleeping.

Guidelines and information packets are available at area high schools. Students wishing to participate must submit their artwork no later than April 24. All entries must be sent to one of Congressman Forbes’ district offices in Chesterfield or Chesapeake.

Additional information is available on Congressman Forbes’ website at www.forbes.house.gov.

Students may also contact Hailey Sadler in Congressman Forbes’ Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-6365 for more information.