art versus violence

The Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Program is calling for submissions of artworks by teen artists. Here's the press release:

In partnership with the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club, Southwest Youth & Family Services and Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, the city of Seattle is calling on young artists to depict the violence prevention theme of the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.

Young artists are encouraged to submit original artwork showing young people in safe and positive environments or other images depicting the message of stopping youth violence. The artwork should include a tagline about preventing youth violence. The selected artwork will be used in communication materials for the initiative.

"This contest is an educational effort to share with children and young people that youth violence can be prevented and should not be tolerated," said Initiative Director Mariko Lockhart. "We want the artwork of this initiative to come directly from the youth in our community because we know they have an enormous capacity to portray simple and remarkable ideas through art and words in a straightforward way."

Artists must be in grades seven through 12 or ages 12 to 17, attending Seattle Public Schools and/or engaged with Seattle Parks and Recreation community centers, or community-based youth organizations. Artwork must be submitted by Dec. 2 to a Seattle Parks and Recreation community center, a Seattle Public Schools art teacher, or to a community-based organization.

For complete rules and drop-off locations, go to this website

The Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative is a community-based, multiagency strategy to prevent and address youth and gang-related violence in the city of Seattle.

And there are prizes! First prize is $100 of art supplies and tickets to entertainment and sporting functions. Second place prize is $50 of art supplies, tickets to entertainment and sporting functions, and a boat ride/tour of the Seattle Police Harbor Patrol Facility.