Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) today announced the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District will be held at Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center in Brick.

            “The Congressional Art Competition provides an amazing opportunity each year to recognize and celebrate the profound creativity and artistic gifts of students in our area,” said Smith, who hosts the annual contest for high school students in his congressional district.

            “Thanks to Hackensack Meridian for hosting this year’s competition and providing a space to display the incredible works of our student artists for the community,” said Smith, who has previously held the show at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton and Georgian Court University in Lakewood.

             “We are privileged and honored to host this year's Annual Congressional Art Competition and Exhibition at Ocean University Medical Center," said Frank Citara, MBA, president and chief hospital executive. "Thank you to Representative Chris Smith for giving us the opportunity to foster the artistic talent of high school students in our community. The exhibition will be uplifting and inspiring to our patients, visitors, physicians, and team members who walk our halls everyday." 

“Color Blind Fruit” by Joseph Sambade from Wall High School won Best in Show in Rep. Smith’s 2022 Congressional Art Competition.

            Students who wish to participate in this year’s contest must register by Friday, March 24th and submit their completed artwork by Monday, April 3rd. For information about the 2023 Congressional Art Competition—including contest rules and entry form—or to view winning pieces from previous competitions, click here.

            Artwork submitted by students will be on display at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Ocean University Medical Center beginning on Tuesday, April 4th. Winners will be announced at a ceremony planned for May 1st at the hospital, and the Best in Show will be displayed in Washington, DC at the US Capitol Building.

            Returning to judge the 2023 show are local professional artists  Debbie Jencsik, Jim Inzero, and Rich Thompson. Click here for a summary of the judges’ biographies.

            Each year, the Congressional Institute sponsors the national high school visual art competition to recognize and foster artistic talent in each congressional district across America. More than 650,000 high school students have participated since the competition began in 1982.

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