SWTJC- Uvalde, TX, January 25, 2023
Calling all artists! Southwest Texas Junior College is seeking entries into the SWTJC Creative Arts Contest.
Plans are underway, and entry deadlines are set for the creative arts contest.
The entry deadline for literary and visual arts is 5 p.m., Monday, March 20. Rules and entry forms are available here.
Trophies and medals will be awarded to first through fourth places in all age groups and categories. Judges will also select an overall literary and visual arts winner in each age group. Cash prizes of $20 will be presented to overall winners.
“The award ceremony will be different this year,” said Ismael Martinez, social media / public relations specialist for SWTJC. “The award ceremony location will change to the Mathews Student Center Cafeteria instead of the ballroom.”
According to Martinez, the college ballroom is currently being used as a classroom for nursing, while the Witt building is undergoing an upgrade in HVAC and electrical along with a general renovation.
“Another significant change is the ceremony will be split into two ceremonies,” said Martinez. “We are still working on which age divisions will be in what ceremony. That information will be announced as we get closer to the date of the ceremonies.”
The SWTJC Creative Arts Awards Ceremony is planned for April 27 in Uvalde. If needed, changes to the awards ceremony will be publicized on the college website and social media channels.
Age divisions include Pre-K and Kindergarten, grades 1-2, grades 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-10, grades 11-12, college, and community.
The SWTJC Arts and Sciences Division, plus the public information office, coordinate the annual event.
“The college has a strong commitment to supporting and promoting the creative arts, and we look forward to outstanding entries,” said Cheryl Sanchez, dean of the college of liberal arts.
Sanchez encourages all area English and language arts teachers in public and private schools and homeschool teachers to have their students enter the contest.
“We know the demands on teachers are enormous, especially in these times of the pandemic,” Sanchez said. “I encourage teachers to get their top writers to submit entries from their best efforts during the school year, even if they were turned in last fall.”
In the literary portion of the contest, categories include poetry and short story (open to all age groups) and essay (open to grades seven and up). The length of short story entries is 2,000 words.
Visual art categories for all age groups include charcoal, drawing with color, painting, pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard, and computer-generated graphics. Photography and video production categories are also included for grades seven and up.
A mixed media category is included in visual arts for the college and community divisions.
All entries should be submitted to the SWTJC library in Uvalde for judging or sent by mail. Contestants can fill and download entry forms from the SWTJC website. Entry forms must be filled out and submitted online. Before sending, the entry form must be printed and attached to the works. Entries and their form must be delivered to the SWTJC Uvalde campus for judging except for the video entries.
Video entries should be uploaded to YouTube and the video link included in the space provided on the entry form.
Contestants can address questions to contest coordinator Ismael Martinez at imartinez@swtjc.edu or by calling 830-591-2942.
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About Southwest Texas Junior College
Founded almost 70 years ago, Southwest Texas Junior College is a comprehensive, public college serving eleven counties in Southwest Texas. The College provides accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region. For more information, please visit www.swtjc.edu.
