By JAMES
BELL
Hays Post
Young artists from around the area have the opportunity to share their artwork during the Young Artists and Authors Showcase.
The deadline for submission is Friday.
The showcase is sponsored by Hays Sister Cities, Hays Arts Council and presented by Sister Cities International.
“It's all about the power of the arts to sort of unify us and that the voices coming in from around the world are you know, well expressed through the eyes of young people through their creative efforts,” said Brenda Meder, Hays Arts Council executive director.
“Sister Cities International aims to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time,” according to the competition announcement. “For decades, Sister Cities International has leveraged the power that art has to transform societies and transcend cultural boundaries through the Young Artists and Authors Showcase, or YAAS. The Showcase has given youth worldwide the opportunity to express their vision for a more unified, peaceful world through original art and literature.”
This year’s theme is "Generation Rescue: Sustainable Water for All."
“Climate change has become an undeniably harsh reality in our lives, making the importance of raising awareness and taking action more essential every day,” the announcement said. “As temperatures rise, water patterns are disrupted, ecosystems are disturbed, cultures are affected, and energy resources are proven to be unsustainable for long-term use. These ongoing changes impact our local and global communities in every aspect, and youth are the key to tackle this global reality.”
The submissions will explore what does water sustainability mean, how does the artist’s culture value water and water sustainability, how the community has been affected by climate change and water disruption and how can the artist, as a future leader, contribute to the solution through the lens of citizen diplomacy and include creative ways people stand together looking toward the future.
“It's not overly detailed, except for what you'll see is the concept this year. It actually focuses on the sustainable nature of water, how that is literally the lifeblood for anyone living on this planet,” Meder said.
The showcase will feature art from a variety of media, including photography, creative writing, poetry and music.
Local winners in each of the six submission categories will be awarded a $100 cash prize.
“The top five winners in each category will be submitted to the Sister Cities International competition on behalf of Hays Sister Cities,” the announcement said. “The international showcase awards an overall first, second, and third-place winner. The grand prize winner (first place) receives $1,000, second place receives $250, and third place receives $100.”
Submissions are open to anyone between 13 and 18 years old at the time of the deadline.
For more information visit the Hays Arts Council website, haysartscouncil.org.
The submission form can be found by clicking here.
Cover image courtesy Pixabay