What does your neighborhood park, backyard or favorite tree mean to you? Project EverGreen, a national non-profit, public service organization, invites the creative youth of Akron to answer that question by entering the Art of Green Spaces Competition. In conjunction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve and the Western Reserve Academy, the goal of the competition is to inspire young people from kindergarten through high school to think about why beautiful green spaces matter to them.
Specifically, these young artists are asked to express through art, music, writing, dance or drama how important green spaces, such as well managed lawns and landscapes, gardens, parks, and sports fields are to the environment, the economy, and the overall quality of life. “Unfortunately, most people take these vital green spaces for granted,” says Den Gardner, executive director or Project EverGreen.
“Our goal with the Art of Green Spaces Competition is to bridge this knowledge gap by providing a venue in which young artists can creatively express their feelings as to why green spaces are so important to people,” Gardner says.
He specifically notes that the goal of the competition is to encourage talented young artists to use the power of art to tell adults and fellow Akron youth why it is imperative to create and care for green spaces at home, work, and play. Each art project must help answer the question, “Why are green spaces – lawns, landscapes, gardens, parks, and sports fields – important to you?”
Prizes will be awarded in as many as four categories: Visual Arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, etc.), Music (vocal and instrumental audiotapes or videotapes), Writing (poetry, stories, articles, etc.), and Dance and Drama (videotapes). Prizes for each category will be allocated to elementary, middle, and high school ages, with $100/blue ribbon for first, $75/red ribbon for second, and $50/yellow ribbon for third places. All artists will receive a green participation ribbon.
To qualify, project entries along with completed and appropriately signed entry forms should be delivered to the Art of Green Spaces Competition, c/o Boys and Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve or the Western Reserve Academy. Only students of these organizations are eligible to compete and may enter as individuals or in teams.
Deadline for entry is May 1, 2008. All eligible entries will be judged by a panel of Akron artists, teachers, and representatives of the green industry based on esthetic excellence as well as scientific or technical interest. Winners will be notified by May 10, 2008, and winning entries will be on public display in May and June 2008.
