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2010 4-H Art Contest

W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake

Background:

The W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake was opened in 1966 to serve the needs of youth in the west central portion of the Commonwealth. Over the years, the campus has grown from a central activities building and three lodges, into a campus with over 22 program areas and lodging facilities including both dormitory and hotel style accommodations. As the Center has grown, there has been an emphasis on the infrastructure, but not aesthetics, particularly in the lodging facilities. Over time, the Center has evolved from a 4-H Center that dealt mainly with 4-H Camping and related programs, into a year-round educational conference center with a variety of users. The main focus of the Center continues to be 4-H youth development. Other patrons of the Center may not be aware of 4-H or the impact it has on the youth of the region, Commonwealth, and nation. 

There is a dual need to add artwork to the Center buildings as well as tell the story of 4-H. Both of these requirements can be addressed through the 2010 Art Contest sponsored by the Skelton 4-H Center. The idea is to have 4-Hers produce artwork that relates to what 4-H and 4-H camping at the Skelton 4-H Center means to them. This will provide a creative outlet for participants, and produce permanent artwork for the Center that can act as an informative vehicle for the positive aspects of 4-H to other youth and adult users of the Center.

Each piece of art will be enclosed in a poster style frame. Information about the artist will be included, and on selected pieces, additional information about the 4-H program and 4-H camping.

 Theme:  “4-H Camp at the Skelton 4-H Center means….”

Criteria:

The contest will be divided into three age groups - Ages to follow the
4-H guidelines:

  • Cloverbud (5-8 year olds)
  • Junior (9-13 year olds)
  • Teens ( 14-19 year olds)

All artwork must be original and created by the 4-H entrant.

There will be 2 sizes of artwork that can be chosen:

  • 11” X 17”
  • 20” X 24”

These sizes were chosen to fit standard poster frames. Other size artwork can be submitted, but will not be part of the contest. Adult volunteers are encouraged to submit artwork as well. Their work would be displayed but would not be part of the contest.

All art must include the 4-H Clover as part of the piece.

Artwork will be evaluated on originality, creativity in incorporating elements of 4-H and or Skelton 4-H Center summer camp programs,
use of space and color, as well as other artistic features.

The artwork will be judged locally at each unit.  (Units may choose to add a presentation or public speaking element to this contest if they so choose.) There must be a minimum of 4 participants in each category to be judged. If there are not enough participants to be judged, the artwork can still be sent to the 4-H Center to be displayed.  Each unit can set due dates for submission of artwork and awarding of prizes, but all artwork must be submitted to the Center no later than February 1, 2011.

By entering the contest, the participants understand that their artwork will become the property of the Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center and will not be returned to the participant. The Center has permission to use the artwork for public display and promotion of 4-H and the 4-H Center. (See media release on entry form.)

All entrants in the contest will receive a Certificate of Merit from the Center. There will be first place through third place ribbons (provided by Center) awarded to the three top winners in the Jr. and Teen category.  (Cloverbuds cannot be in competition.)

In each unit (county), the entrants in the Jr. Category that produce artwork in the 20” X 24” size will be judged, and the overall winner will receive a free week of 4-H camp at the Skelton 4-H Center during their unit’s week of camp during the 2011 camping season.

Presentation:

  • All art must be flat and may not be more than ¼ inch thick. This includes all two-dimensional materials and images, including small, flat items (such as string, fabric, and screening) that have a maximum surface contact with the face of the image.  Nothing three-dimensional (noodles, beans, beads, boxes, etc.) may extend off the surface of artwork.
  • No art may exceed 11” X 17” or 20” X 24” inches.
  • Entries may be submitted on paper, poster board, canvas, or cardboard, not to exceed ¼ inch thickness.
  • Mount all paper entries on sturdy cardboard or foam board backing; do not put in any frame.
  • Protecting the work in shrink-wrap or a transparent plastic cover is optional, but recommended.
  • Lamination is discouraged because it can permanently damage the surface of the artwork.
  • Place the 4-Hers Entry Form in a sheet protector and secure it with masking tape to the back of the artwork.
  • Include the title and required artist statement on the 4-H Entry Form.  If the entry has no title please write “Untitled.”
  • On the 4-Hers Entry Form, describe the medium (crayon, magic marker, colored pencil, watercolor, acrylic, etc.)

Works not accepted:

  • Sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, and other three dimensional artwork.
  • Reproduction or enlargements of other artwork.
  • Any artwork deemed inappropriate by the local 4-H Agent.

Click to download a copy of the Art Contest flyer.

Click to download an entry form.