U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today encouraged local high school students with a passion for art to submit entries for a competition to win the honor of having their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Complex for the next year and a scholarship to Georgian Court University.

    The winner will be selected at the Fourth Congressional District Art Contest will take place the week of April 30, 2007 through May 3, 2007 at Georgian Court University, Lakewood, New Jersey.

    “Every year, this competition brings together extremely talented young artists from around the Fourth Congressional District to compete for the honor of having their artwork displayed in the nation’s Capitol. The annual contest shines a spotlight on the district’s best budding young artists and I look forward to the many wonderful entries that are sure to be submitted for this year’s contest,” said Smith.

    Each year high school students from all around the fourth district are invited to compete in the competition. Encouraged by art teachers and families, ninth through twelfth graders submit their entries with the hopes of being chosen the best in show, an honor that includes having their art work displayed in the United States Capitol Complex for the next year along side other winning entries from across the nation. The winning artist and guest are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and reception held in Washington, DC on Wednesday, June 27, 2007.

    A scholarship will be offered by Georgian Court University to the winning categories of Best in Show and First Place. Each scholarship will reimburse up to $4,000 of direct costs and will be taken from all sources not to exceed direct charges incurred as computed by the Director of Financial Aid at Georgian Court University and will be renewed for four years as long as the student maintains a 3.0 in art.

    “I am very grateful that Georgian Court University is once again partnering with my office in this effort. By hosting the contest and offering scholarships for the winners, Georgian Court University is providing aspiring high school-aged artists in the Fourth Congressional District, with a unique opportunity to further their education through creative art,” Smith said.

    “Similarly, the Savannah College of Art and Design will also award the Artistic Honors Scholarship, in the amount of $5,000 per year, to the Best in Show category in the 2007 Congressional Art Competition,” Smith said, noting that the Artistic Honors Scholarship is renewable and is applicable to tuition and fees at the college.

    All student artists and their families are invited to join their teachers to view the entries at the Awards Ceremony which is on Thursday May 3, 2007 from 4 pm until 5 pm at the Sister Christine Geis Art Gallery at Georgian Court University’s main campus in Lakewood. The gallery is open from 8 am to 8 pm and the entries will be on display the week of April 30, 2007 through May 3, 2007.

    If you are a high school student or art instructor in the Fourth Congressional District that is interested in participating in the 2007 Competition or would like additional information, please contact Smith’s Public Policy Director, Candace P. Mueller at (609) 585-7878 or (732) 350-2300.