Reducing waste is the goal of a new and imaginative art contest for all ages

The inspiration of the Senior Citizen’s Organization of the San Lorenzo Valley, supported by the Valley Women’s Club, the entire community is encouraged to participate, with prizes for different ages in each of various art categories.

Individuals and groups of all ages are invited to participate, including school-age students, adults, or mixed age groups (school, families, friends, neighbors).

Art can be a wall hanging, tabletop or floor piece. Artwork must be primarily re-used or recycled materials and are subject to size and weight limitations. Artwork is due January 19^th, followed by judging. The grand reception and award ceremony takes place at the Highlands Park Senior Center on January 25^th. All artwork will be displayed at the Reception and the Show following. Winning art will be displayed at the Santa Cruz County Building and other venues.

Sponsors and prize donors are needed to make this a truly exciting contest for the artists. There are three categories of cash sponsors and award donors: $500+ gold, $100+ silver and $50+ bronze. Please contact Caroline Elam at 310/567-0915 if you wish to contribute. Sponsors/Donors will be featured in the program and in post-judging announcements and may be involved in the award ceremony.

For further details call Caroline Elam at 310/567-0915.

Recycling is a challenge!

There are many changes globally regarding the production of new products from used materials. Recycling is only part of the answer to reduce waste pollution. There is much you can do personally to help your neighborhood, the river, and the ocean.

• Resist excess packaging, especially plastic.
• Reduce your “wants.” Review your “needs.”
• Reuse it; repair it; replace it with used items when available.
• Recycle only clean, dry plastics with recycle numbers.
• Retire useable things to resale stores, and trash only what is not reclaimable.
• Retrieve tossed items before they flow downstream to the ocean.
• Rethink materials for art. Enter the contest!

GUIDELINES FOR CONTEST

Open to all residents of San Lorenzo Valley. Awards!

CATEGORIES: Adults 18 and over, children 2-7, 8-12, teens 13-17, and groups of the same ages or mixed ages.

ENTRY SPECIFICATIONS:

• Must feature a majority of recycled or repurposed materials.
• Must have no wet paint, glue, or any wet substances.
• All materials must be well attached.
• Hanging pieces not to exceed 24”x 24”x 36”. Bas relief not to exceed 3”x 24”x 36”.
• Hanging pieces not to exceed 3 pounds.
• Hanging pieces should have secure wires for hanging, or easels must be provided.
• Tabletop and floor pieces must have a base of no more than 30”x 36” and be less than 5 feet tall. A piece may not weigh over 30 pounds and must stand on its own.
• Individual exceptions or right of refusal at the time of entry by a committee member.

SUBMISSIONS: Bring entries to Highlands Park Senior Center Sunday, Jan. 19, 2-4 pm, or Monday, Jan. 20, 2-4 pm. Be prepared to spend time completing additional forms.

• All forms are available at the Senior Center at the time of entry.
• The fee is $5 for children 2-12, $10 for groups, teens, and adults. Scholarships are available. Multiple entries encouraged!

JUDGING: Submissions judged on creativity and communication of theme, “Make a Difference through Art,” as well as the use of recycled and or repurposed materials. Winners agree to public displays to be determined.

RECEPTION AND AWARDS CEREMONY: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2 pm, at Highlands Park Senior Center. Parents or guardians must be present for a child to receive an award. (Parents or guardians may pick up awards by Sunday deadline. See below.)

RETURN OF ENTRIES: Following the ceremony Saturday, Jan. 25 until 6 pm, or Sunday, Jan. 26, 2-4pm. Storage space is limited. Other than the pieces selected for public display, submissions not picked up by Sunday (or otherwise arranged for) may be recycled.

Sponsored by the Senior Citizens’ Org. of SLV and the Valley Women’s Club. For more information call Center at 831-336-8900, or Caroline Elam at 310-567-0915, text preferred.