Area youth invited to participate in 2012 Sister Cities International art competition

The Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation is currently accepting applications until 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 17 from Garland County students 13 to 18 years old to participate in the 24th Annual 2012 Sister Cities International Young Artists Showcase. This year's theme is "Youth as the Catalyst for Change.” Students from Hanamaki, Japan, Hot Springs’ sister city, will also participate in the juried art competition.

“The world today is more connected than ever,” reads an excerpt from SCI’s contest guidelines. ‘With the help of social media and innovative new methods of group communication and mobilization, change can occur at a faster pace than ever before. Throughout the world, young people are harnessing the power to create change and promote progress. The 2012 theme is an opportunity to use artwork to express how communication, technology, and individual initiative can lead to dramatic social change. Submissions can highlight your experience with social media, how you are creating change in your community, or how global communication and exchange has impacted your life.”

All entries from Hanamaki and Hot Springs will be showcased during the downtown Art Gallery Walk on Friday, April 6. Area first, second and third place winners will receive gift certificates. The first place winners from Hanamaki and Hot Springs will be sent to compete in the national contest, where five U.S. and 5 international finalists will be selected from the total national contest entries. The two overall winners will receive $1000.

There are no entry fees for the local contest. National contest fees will be paid by the Hot Springs Sister City Foundation. Local competition guidelines, national contest guidelines, and the official entry form are available on the Sister City Program page under the Residents tab at http://www.cityhs.net/.

Exhibit entries may be brought to the Fine Arts Center of Hot Springs, 626 Central Avenue, during operating hours from Wednesday, March 7 until 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. The center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. For information, contact Sister City Program Coordinator Mary Neilson, hotspringssistercity@yahoo.com, 545-6960.