U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has opened submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, inviting high school students who reside in Washington’s Third Congressional District to participate. According to reporting by The Reflector, the annual contest is now underway and accepts entries from students in grades 9 through 12.

The Congressional Art Competition is a longstanding program of the U.S. House of Representatives designed to highlight student creativity nationwide. Students selected as district winners will have their artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. According to the official House competition page, the contest provides an opportunity to “recognize and encourage the artistic talent” of young people across participating districts. ([gluesenkampperez.house.gov](https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/congressional-art-competition?utm_source=openai))

The Reflector reported that Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez encourages participation from across Southwest Washington, continuing a tradition her office has supported in prior years through similar calls for submissions. Her office has previously emphasized the value of showcasing local talent and engaging young artists in civic life, as reflected in prior announcements about earlier competitions. ([gluesenkampperez.house.gov](https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/gluesenkamp-perez-announces-2025-congressional-art-competition?utm_source=openai))

Students interested in participating are encouraged to review eligibility and artwork requirements through the congressional office’s official resources. Requirements typically include submitting original, two‑dimensional artwork created by a single student and adhering to size and medium restrictions outlined by the House of Representatives. ([gluesenkampperez.house.gov](https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/congressional-art-competition?utm_source=openai))

As of the time of publication, The Reflector’s report provides the first publicly available confirmation that the 2026 competition cycle for Washington’s Third District has formally opened.

Why This Matters

The competition highlights creative opportunities for young people in Cowlitz County and the broader region, providing a national platform for local students and strengthening regional representation in a long‑running congressional arts tradition.