WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is inviting high-school students from Maine’s First Congressional District to submit their artwork for this year’s Congressional Art Competition.

“Maine has always been an inspiring place for artists, especially those who call it home,” Pingree said. “This contest is a great opportunity for our students to show that to the rest of the country. I’m always impressed with the quality of what these talented young artists submit and I am really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries.”

Each year, thousands of students across the country enter. One winner is chosen from each Congressional District, and their artwork is hung in a corridor of the U.S. Capitol building for a year. The student and a guest will be honored at a reception in Washington, D.C., in June.

Before heading to Washington, the winning artists will be honored at a reception at the Blaine House in May. Runners-up are also invited, along with their families and art teachers.

A downloadable image of last year’s winning digital photograph by Patrick Lynch of Hallowell is online at bit.ly/YjpAik.

The deadline for submission is Thursday, March 28.

Eligible artwork includes paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, photography or computer-generated art. Details about the dimensions allowed and the submission process are found at mainearts.maine.gov/Pages/Education/Congressional-Arts-Guidelines.

For more information, call Ann Goodridge in Chellie Pingree’s Portland office at 207-774-5019 or visit www.pingree.house.gov.