“Nature Inspires” Art Contest

In partnership with Rowan-Salisbury School System and in honor of The LandTrust’s 20^th anniversary and 25,000 acres protected, the “Nature Inspires” Art Contest aims to showcase students’ artwork inspired by nature, encourage students and their families to explore and enjoy the nature around them, and increase awareness about conservation in the central Piedmont region. The art contest is open to high school students in the Rowan-Salisbury School District.

Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for art. Artists have captured the beauty of nature across the globe, throughout the eras, in all mediums. Although we rely on nature for necessities such as clean air, water, food, and personal well-being, our increasing isolation from our environment often appears as a barrier to accessing and enjoying it to the fullest.

Art can be a crucial bridge between the need for nature and the lack of opportunities or impetus to explore it. It can also be a tool used to draw attention to the challenges we face in protecting our air, water, and land. We hope that students take the opportunity to explore the incredible natural beauty that surrounds us here in Rowan County to gain inspiration for their works, and translate that into creative works of art that can be enjoyed by all that visit downtown Salisbury.

Guidelines for submissions to the art contest:

1. Any medium is accepted: painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, mixed

   

   media, etc.

2. Must include elements of nature, the environment, and/or conservation related to the Piedmont region of North Carolina—animals, plants, landscape, air, water, and farmlands are some examples that may inspire or focus students’ visions for their work. Subjects that are not associated with Piedmont North Carolina (such as non-local animals, plants, or landscapes) will not be accepted.
3. Artwork must be available for exhibit in downtown Salisbury during December and January. Artwork will be returned to you after the display period ends.
4. Teachers will select a maximum of 10 pieces from each class for submission. You or your teacher must email a PDF photo of your work to Alicia at alicia@landtrustcnc.org by November 20 for approval. The PDF file should be labeled with your name, grade level, and school.
5. The LandTrust or your teacher will collect artwork for exhibit on November 25. Works must be labeled with your name, grade level, and school.

The contest will be judged by a panel of local art experts and conservationists.

1^st place prize: $100 Visa gift card; artwork framed or mounted

2^nd place prize: $75 Visa gift card

3^rd place prize: $50 Visa gift card

Other ways to participate:

• Students may take a selfie out in nature, post it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag #natureinspiresartcontest, and be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card. Students may take multiple selfies for multiple drawing entries, but each selfie must be at a different location. Click here for complete rules and a list of qualifying locations.

All questions about the art contest can be directed to Alicia Vasto at alicia@landtrustcnc.org or 336-633-0143.