Not Just Talk: 9th District's Adam Smith Supports Areas Young Artists

(This post originally appeared at the site of at my newly launched blog LiquidMuse-NW. - M. Sugimura)

As I'm of the opinion that opportunities for art and arts programs in the public schools have taken a terrible beating during the last decade or two, I'm thrilled to hear of people and programs that encourage young people to create art , particularly when the word comes from the office of a public official.

So it is with special pleasure that I report an opportunity extended by the official website of Representative Adam Smith (D), 9th Congressional District, offering youth in grades 9-12 whose school districts lie within the Ninth an opportunity to have their artwork on display in the nation's capital!

Local teens! If you should be the lucky young artist whose work rises to the top of the heap, you'll have the distinct pleasure of seeing your work hung in the Cannon Tunnel at the US Capitol for a full 365 days, which as far as galleries go these day for budding legends, is definitely more stellar than most.

Futhermore, you will receive a $5,000 a year scholarship from the Savannah College of Art and Design (renewable for four years) and 3 round trip tickets from Southwest Airlines to attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 Congressional Art Competition in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.

In addition, the winning artwork will be considered for display at Tacoma Art Museum in May. Second and third prize winners will be hung in Smith's Tacoma Congressional office.

Young artists, while the contest is not quite say, the same as telling your friends you are going to star on American Idol, opportunities like this one are how you launch yourself. Need more persuasion? Read here about the winners of the 2007 Congressional Art Competition.

3600 Port 0f Tacoma Road, Suite 106, during regular business hours. Entries will be accepted up until 5:oo p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2008. Student entries are now being accepted at Congressman Smith's office at the Fabulich Center, For more contest information, school districts in Smith's district and other important details click here.