The town of Emmitsburg will sponsor an art competition for Emmitsburg area youth. The contest is open to any student attending school in Emmitsburg, Emmitsburg youth attending school elsewhere, and home-schooled students from Emmitsburg.

The program was conceived organized by Emmitsburg Town Commissioner William B. O’Neil, Jr., who saw it as an opportunity for children to "express themselves creatively through their art," O’Neil said.   Commissioner O’Neil’s proposal received the unanimous support of the Mayor and Town Commission of Emmitsburg.

"This art competition is a wonderful way for us to recognize the fine talents of these deserving children and encourage them to continue," said Commissioner O’Neil.

The theme of this first competition will be "100 Years of Discovery — Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Emmitsburg Public Library.

There will be three judging categories, Kindergarten through 3rd grade, 4th grade through 7th grade, and 8th through 12th.  First place in each competition will receive a $1,000 United States Series EE Savings Bond. Second place will receive a $500 savings bond and third a $200 savings bond.  At the discretion of the judges, up to ten $100 honorable mention awards may be made.

Submissions must be in either watercolor, oils, pastels, acrylic, pen and ink (including indelible marker pen, felt-tip pen, soft ballpoint pen), charcoal, colored pencil, crayon, or mixed media, ceramic, and sculpture are the only acceptable mediums for entry.  Should photographs and computer-generated art be submitted to the competition, they will be judged separately, providing sufficient entries are received to judge.

Collage work involving the use of others’ work, print media, natural substances (leafs, sticks, twigs, etc.), or photocopies will not be eligible.

Artwork must be on paper, poster board or canvas, no larger than 24 by 30 inches (60cm x 75cm), including mat. Shrink-wrap, or a protective covering is required on all entries.

All entries must be the original design and artwork of the artist / student. Parents, friends, teachers or others must not assist the artist. Only new pieces, inspired by the theme, are acceptable.

Winning artists will have their art on display in the Town Commission chambers for one-year.  Artwork may also be displayed on the Emmitsburg local cable Channel 99, the Town web site, Town calendars and mailings, as well as other materials.

A panel will judge entries on the basis of originality, composition, and theme interpretation. Each artwork will be identified by a number and the artist’s name, title of work and description will be kept confidential until judging is complete.

All entries are due by June 6, 2006 and the winners will be announced on July 1, 2006. For more information contact the town office at 301-600-6300 or visit the town website at www.emmitsburg.net/towngov