Congressman Jeb Hensarling is requesting high school students across the 5th Congressional District to participate in the 2010 Congressional Art Competition.

This year's contest, entitled An Artistic Discovery, aims to acknowledge our nation's most gifted young artists.

“This exciting competition provides Members of Congress the opportunity to showcase the artistic talent of high school students within their districts," says Congressman Hensarling.

“I am pleased to announce that the Fifth Congressional District is participating once again in the competition, and I look forward to seeing the artwork that our talented students submit.”

As in years past, the winning entry from each congressional district will be displayed in a special exhibit located in a corridor of the United States Capitol building.

The winning student and two guests will be invited to attend a special ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the artwork in Washington, D.C.

Southwest Airlines has generously agreed to provide airfare to Washington, D.C. for the winner and two guests.

Artwork must be submitted to Congressman Hensarling’s Dallas office no later than April 19th to be considered.

Accepted mediums for this year's contest are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
• Collage: must be two dimensional
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
• Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photography

Teachers and students wishing to participate this year’s competition should contact Sarah Rozier at (214) 349-9996 for official contest dates, rules and guidelines.

Lead photo: Congressman Hensarling with Rachel Wilson, of Martins Mill High School, winner of the 2009 Congressional Art Contest.

Wilson's art piece, “Green Dreams,” is displayed in the U.S. Capitol.