It’s not too late for high school students to sign up for the national 2016 Annual Congressional Art Competition hosted locally by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) for Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean students who live in the Fourth Congressional District he represents. 

   The deadline for entry is March 29 for current high school student artwork recently completed, or works specifically created just for the competition, that meet the originality, suitability, size and other entry guidelines of the national competition.

   “Each year the students’ artwork entered is impressive,” Smith said. “It is encouraging, and inspiring, to see such a high level of artistry being pursued by our students and fostered by art teachers in the Fourth Congressional District.”

   The artwork entered into the competition this year will be displayed and open to the public at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton (RWJ-Hamilton) from April 4-6, with winners announced at the end of the show. Last year the competition took place at Georgian Court University’s Sister M. Christine Geis Art Gallery in Lakewood with 69 total entries representing a variety of styles and mediums.

   RWJ-Hamilton is hosting the 2016 event, which a three-member panel of talented, volunteer judges professionally and objective review all the entries and select the winners. The judges are dedicated, experienced artists who live in the community. Notices have been sent out to all high schools in the district.

   Every year the Congressional Institute sponsors this national high school visual art competition to recognize and foster artistic talent in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Participation in the contest is at the discretion of each Member office.

   Students who place will receive awards and all participants are presented with congressional certificates.

    The top winner—Best in Show—is recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and is displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol. The 2015 winner of Best in Show from the Fourth Congressional District was Dominique Trotte of Howell High School.

     This year student art work will on be display on Tuesday, April 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wednesday, April 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lakefront Art Gallery located in the Tower on the first floor mezzanine, directly above the café and gift shop area. The event will end April 6 with an award ceremony at 5 p.m. with light refreshments.

      RWJ-Hamilton is located at One Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton, NJ, Mercer County.

      For competition entry rules or more information about the 2016 NJ-04 competition call Smith’s Monmouth office at (732) 780-3035, or his Mercer Office at (609) 585-7878 or his Ocean office (609) 286-2571.

   Information about the 2016 NJ-04 show or to view the 2015 and recent year winners can also be found at Congressman Smith’s website at www.house.gov/chrisssmith under the “Constituent Services” tab. Information about which towns comprise the NJ-04 are listed under the “4^th District” tab.