U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08) announced he is now accepting entries from all interested Eighth District high school students for the 2019 Congressional Art Competition.

This year’s competition is being in remembrance of legendary NASCAR artist Sam Bass, Rep. Hudson’s constituent and friend who recently passed away.

“This year’s competition is bittersweet as we celebrate the talents of our students and pay tribute to my good friend Sam Bass,” said Hudson. “Sam was a big supporter of the art competition and he even hosted it once at his gallery. Our district is home to incredibly gifted students, and I look forward to showcasing their artwork again this year.”

Each spring, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition to recognize the artistic talents of students in North Carolina’s Eighth District and throughout the nation. The competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.

Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

The Eighth District winner will be selected by an Arts Advisory Committee made up of artists from the district and announced at a reception hosted by Hudson.

The winner and one guest will have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. to participate in the national ceremony with other winners from congressional districts across the country.

Winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Second-place artwork will be displayed in Hudson’s Washington, D.C. office and third-place will be displayed in Hudson’s Concord office.

All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not be larger than 26 x 26 x 4 inches, including the frame.

Interested students should submit entries to Hudson’s Concord or Fayetteville District offices by 5 p.m. April 26, with a completed 2019 congressional art competition student information and release form.

For more information about participating in the annual Congressional Art Competition, contact the Concord office at 704 786-1612 or visit Hudson.house.gov/art-competition.