Kilili: students invited to enter 2010 Congressional Art Competition

Washington, DC – Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan is inviting all Northern Mariana Islands high school students to enter this year’s Congressional Arts Competition. The competition recognizes the outstanding artwork of one student from each of the nation's 441 congressional districts by displaying the work in the walkway that connects the Cannon House Office Building to the U.S Capitol, where congressional members, staff, and visitors walk every day. Last year’s winner was Rosanna L. Camacho.

Sablan said the theme for this year's contest is Embracing Our Values and Our Future....Para I Tao’Tao Marianas. “I am hoping that the artwork will express in some way the values and traditions that our elders pass on to future generations.

“We are looking for entries that reflect important lessons taught by the past and that demonstrate how we can incorporate those lessons into our lives for a brighter future for the NMI.”

The Congressional Arts Competition is open to high school students grades 9 through 12. Participants may submit a painting using oil, acrylic or watercolor as their medium. Those opting for a drawing may use pastels, colored pencils, charcoal, ink, or markers. Collages, lithographs, silkscreens, block prints, photographs, and computer-generated artwork will also be accepted provided they are two-dimensional.

Begun in 1982, the competition aims to promote the artistic talent of students across America. Since then, more than 650,000 students have competed for the honor of having their work exhibited.

A panel of local Northern Marianas artists will judge the entries based on originality, creativity, visual impact, expression of idea or theme, and use of technique.

Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photo (not the student's own), painting, graphic, advertisement, or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. A typed copy of the student release form must be attached to the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

Each piece can be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 lbs.

Entries should be delivered to one of the Congressional offices on Rota, Saipan, or Tinian no later than 5pm, April 23, 2010 (Chamorro Standard Time).

For further information contact Michelle Tenorio in Washington, DC at michelle.tenorio@mail.house.gov, phone: toll free (877)-466-3465. On Rota contact Harry Masga at rotadistrictoffice@gmail.com . phone: (670) 483-2644. On Saipan contact Jennifer Rosario on Saipan at jennifer.rosario@mail.house.gov, phone: (670)323-2647/8. On Tinian contact Matthew Masga at tiniandistrictoffice@gmail.com , phone: (670)483-2642.