For immediate release: Friday, September 24, 2021
Contact: Dieulanie Claude, Communications Manager, (772) 462-2783, dieulanie@artstlucie.org
St. Lucie County’s Young Artists Contest Is Back Brighter and Bolder
St. Lucie County’s Young Artists Contest Is Back Brighter and Bolder
St. Lucie Cultural Alliance Hosts the Countywide Young Artists Creative Contest, Second Annual Young Hearts to Arts, for St. Lucie K-12 and College-Age Talents
Fort Pierce, FL – The Cultural Alliance is now accepting submissions for the second annual Young Hearts to Arts contest. The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2021. When communities across the country and the world had to readjust and find new ways to stay connected amid a pandemic, St. Lucie Cultural Alliance launched two campaigns with many virtual activities. As residents were losing physical proximity, these online movements, including the countywide young artists contest, Young Hearts to Arts, helped keep St. Lucie County united.
Last year’s contest was well-received by parents and young artists who found the silver lining through art and a supportive online community while in quarantine and surrounded by rising social issues. The contest helped St. Lucie youngsters stay productive while inspiring each other with vibrant and visually attractive original art showing love and empathy. This year, participants are encouraged to submit art with bright colors depicting joy and hope for better days ahead.
Entries are accepted and judged in four categories: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and College, and voted by the general public. First place and second place winners are voted for each category. The first annual contest was a success with 31 entries and nearly 400 votes by the public.
2020 Young Hearts to Arts Exhibitions. Left – Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, right – Heathcote Botanical Gardens.
The Cultural Alliance ended the first campaign with two outdoor exhibits at Heathcote Botanical Gardens and Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, with the submitted artwork and artists’ statements printed on yard signs and displayed throughout the gardens, including an award show with live music and dance performances, costume contest, mantra rock live painting, kids yoga sessions and more. The winners took home personalized certificates, $50 arts and crafts store gift cards for first place winners, and $25 for second place winners. All participants were also given their personalized yard signs.
2020 Young Hearts to Arts. Left – college 1st place winner Valeri, middle – high school 2nd place winner Serena with her little brother, right – costume contest winners.
“This is a drawing of my little brother. I choose to draw him because no matter what happens, he has been there for me through so much. He creates joy in my life when my days are down. Especially during these times, I wouldn’t wish the world without him,” said high school category second-place winner Serena on her little brother being the subject of her submitted art.
All St. Lucie County young artists are encouraged to enter the 2021 art contest to win cool prizes and get their masterpieces exhibited in a countywide traveling outdoor exhibition. Furthermore, the original art of the eight winners will be exhibited at the county’s administrative building for one year.
All young artists interested in participating should submit their entries at www.artstlucie.org/young-hearts-contest.
To view last year’s submissions and winners, please visit www.artstlucie.org/young-hearts-gallery.
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About St. Lucie Cultural Alliance
St. Lucie Cultural Alliance (SLCA) is a professional organization representing the arts and cultural sector in St. Lucie County. SLCA’s mission is to better position the arts and cultural division as a significant contributor to the vibrancy and educational and economic wellbeing of St. Lucie County. SLCA is a proud partner of The City of Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, St. Lucie County Tourism Division, and Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County.
DC/SLCA