STUDENTS EXPLORE THE ARTIST WITHIN FOR THIRD ANNUAL  SUSTAINABLE SANTA MONICA STUDENT POSTER CONTEST

This Year's Theme Highlights Sustainable Food - A Growing Movement in Sustainable Communities   

Santa Monica-March 31-The City of Santa Monica's Office of Sustainability & the Environment, the Santa Monica Farmers Market, Big Blue Bus and Sustainable Works have announced the third annual Sustainable Santa Monica Student Poster Contest. This year's theme highlights "Sustainable Food," one of the goal areas of Santa Monica's Sustainable City Plan. All submissions are due on Friday, April 29, 2011 by 5 p.m. (pdf)

The theme encourages students to express themselves through art by exploring ideas of food that are safe and healthy for people and the planet. Topics for students to consider, include:  

-       What is sustainable food?

-       Can food be safe and healthy to eat and grow?

-       Can food support people and the planet?

-       Can food support your local economy and the community?

The poster contest is open to all students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12, who are residents of Santa Monica or enrolled in the Santa Monica school district. Students must submit their original artwork horizontally on 11" by 17" white paper, with only one submission accepted per student. Students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 8, must hand draw their artwork in ink or crayon on white paper. High school students, grades 9 through 12, may submit digital posters created in Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop.

A selection committee comprised of local community leaders, sustainability experts and artists will determine a series of winners in four separate categories: kindergarten through grade 2, grades 3 to 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 through 12. Grand prize winners in each category will earn the honor of having their poster art displayed on the façade of the Big Blue Bus in the king-size advertising space for one month. Runner-up winners will have their poster art displayed on the interior of the Big Blue Bus for one month.

The contest will culminate in a daytime celebration open to all students, families and teachers on Tuesday, May 24 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Santa Monica's Beach Park #1 (2600 Barnard Way). The annual event will feature sustainable themed snacks, prizes and kid-friendly activities. All students will be recognized for their artistic contributions at the event, with all submissions displayed on the outside of four Big Blue Buses. The grand prize and runner-up winners will be honored during an awards ceremony.

Artwork can be submitted via postal mail, arranged pick-up or drop-off at one of the designated poster contest drop-off locations. Mail submissions should be addressed to the attention of "Samantha Sommer, Poster Contest," at 1744 Pearl Street, Santa Monica, California 90405. For schools with multiple submissions, teachers can schedule a group pick-up by emailing Samantha Sommer with the subject line "Poster Pick Up." Submissions can also be dropped of at the Santa Monica Main Library Youth Services area, or at the poster making booths located at the Saturday Pico Farmers Market and the Sunday Main Farmers Market through Saturday, April 23.

All submissions must include the name of the student, school, grade, mailing address, phone number, contact email, teacher's name and email on the back of the poster or in the body of the email. Entries will become property of the City of Santa Monica, which will hold publication rights for the winning entries.

For questions, high-resolution images or logos, please contact Carly Harrill at carly@farmacyagency.com or (310) 779-8812.