Mount Diablo Peace and Justice Center's
Dennis Thomas 26th annual
ART & WRITING CHALLENGE - 2024
Art & Writing Challenge:
Our Art & Writing Challenge, named in honor of its founder Dennis T. Thomas, is a contest organized to encourage local youth to address issues of peace and social justice through fine art (includes visual art, sculpture, photography, video, and music) or writing (creative writing or essay). We are open to nearly all mediums and we have now expanded our categories to include original MUSIC into the “Arts” category!
Topic/Prompt for 2024:
WE LIVE IN A WORLD IN CONFLICT BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW YOUTH CAN RESOLVE DISPUTES, BRIDGE BORDERS and PROMOTE JUSTICE FOR ALL?
ISSUES and EXAMPLES WHICH MAY COME TO MIND:
Just and Fair Immigration / Free Speech v. Cancel Culture / Gun Violence and Armed Conflict
Our Art & Writing Challenge, named in honor of its founder Dennis T. Thomas, is a contest organized to encourage local youth to address issues of peace and social justice through fine art (includes visual art, sculpture, photography, video, and music) or writing (creative writing or essay). We are open to nearly all mediums and we have now expanded our categories to include original MUSIC into the “Arts” category!
Topic/Prompt for 2024:
WE LIVE IN A WORLD IN CONFLICT BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW YOUTH CAN RESOLVE DISPUTES, BRIDGE BORDERS and PROMOTE JUSTICE FOR ALL?
ISSUES and EXAMPLES WHICH MAY COME TO MIND:
Just and Fair Immigration / Free Speech v. Cancel Culture / Gun Violence and Armed Conflict
CONTEST RULES:
All entrants must be residents of Contra Costa County in middle or high school, 6th-12th grade.
LAST DAY TO SUBMIT WAS SATURDAY, APRIL 27th.
WE HOPE TO HAVE JUDGING COMPLETED DURING THE WEEK OF APRIL 29th!
Submissions will be judged in three categories:
1) Creative Writing; 2) Essay; and 3) Art (including video, original music, visual art, sculpture or photography).
Important to remember that judging is based on relevance to topic/prompt as well as creativity, originality and quality of work.
Prizes:
A first, second and third place winner will be chosen in each category for a total of 9 in middle school and 9 in high school. First Place winners will receive a prize of $250, Second Place $100 and Third Place a $50 gift certificate. All winners and their families, teachers/supporters are invited to attend an awards luncheon on Saturday, May 11th at the Center's office, located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette.
How to submit your entries to the contest:
Creative Writing and/or Essay - Categories 1 and 2.
Submit your writing online in .doc format as an attachment to the "2024 ART AND WRITING CHALLENGE ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM" link found below. Note: Limit word count to 1,000 for high school and 750 for middle school students.
Art - Category 3.
VISUAL ARTWORK, SCULPTURE, and PHOTOGRAPHY have two options:
ORIGINAL MUSIC and VIDEO
Each entry (MP3 and/or MP4 format) must be submitted online as an attachment to the"2024 ART AND WRITING CHALLENGE ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM".
All entrants must be residents of Contra Costa County in middle or high school, 6th-12th grade.
LAST DAY TO SUBMIT WAS SATURDAY, APRIL 27th.
WE HOPE TO HAVE JUDGING COMPLETED DURING THE WEEK OF APRIL 29th!
Submissions will be judged in three categories:
1) Creative Writing; 2) Essay; and 3) Art (including video, original music, visual art, sculpture or photography).
Important to remember that judging is based on relevance to topic/prompt as well as creativity, originality and quality of work.
Prizes:
A first, second and third place winner will be chosen in each category for a total of 9 in middle school and 9 in high school. First Place winners will receive a prize of $250, Second Place $100 and Third Place a $50 gift certificate. All winners and their families, teachers/supporters are invited to attend an awards luncheon on Saturday, May 11th at the Center's office, located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette.
How to submit your entries to the contest:
Creative Writing and/or Essay - Categories 1 and 2.
Submit your writing online in .doc format as an attachment to the "2024 ART AND WRITING CHALLENGE ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM" link found below. Note: Limit word count to 1,000 for high school and 750 for middle school students.
Art - Category 3.
VISUAL ARTWORK, SCULPTURE, and PHOTOGRAPHY have two options:
- IN-PERSON DELIVERIES to our Peace Center office in Lafayette (1035 Carol Lane) are strongly recommended. Please contact the office at (925) 933-7850 or [email protected] to arrange an appointment. In-person deliveries MUST HAVE a legible, complete and securely attached ENTRY COVER SHEET (found below for printout). If necessary, we may be able to arrange for a pick-up from your school - must be BEFORE April 27th. Please contact us at (925) 933-7850 or [email protected] to arrange for this option.
- ONLINE SUBMISSION, please take a "bird's-eye" or multiple view photograph of the artwork and be certain it is CLEAR / IN-FOCUS and WELL-LIT. The photograph(s) should be attached as jpg(s)to the "2024 ART AND WRITING CHALLENGE ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM".
ORIGINAL MUSIC and VIDEO
Each entry (MP3 and/or MP4 format) must be submitted online as an attachment to the"2024 ART AND WRITING CHALLENGE ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM".
Please direct your questions to [email protected] or call the office at (925) 933-7850.
Artwork by Jennifer Hewitson
Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center reserves the right to reprint and exhibit all entries.
For more information about the Peace Center, please visit our website at: www.ourpeacecenter.org
or call the Center office: (925) 933-7850
For more information about the Peace Center, please visit our website at: www.ourpeacecenter.org
or call the Center office: (925) 933-7850