If you thought that the vibrant Bainbridge arts scene was an 18-and-up kind of thing, you were wrong.
As a testament to the seemingly endless supply of talented youths on the island, the 14th annual Student Art Contest will again gather the best of the community’s young creatives next weekend for a can’t-miss exhibition of rising stars in the local art world.
The contest begins at 3 p.m. Friday, March 7 at Waterfront Park Community Center (370 Brien Drive) and is open to all Bainbridge Island students and young residents in kindergarten through high school.
The judging categories are based on the child’s grade, and artists can enter up to three pieces in any medium so long as it was created within the past year.
This year there will be two “Best of Show” winners, one for the high school division and one for grades K-8.
Three winners will be selected for each age category and up to two “Honorable Mention” pieces per category can be selected at the judges’ discretion. Each winner will receive an award certificate, and every entrant will receive a merit ribbon for participating.
Winning entries will be displayed at the Bainbridge Public Library after the show, and through the end of March.
Students can enter at any time prior to the contest online at www.biparks.org. Entries are $5 each.
Students can also enter in person at the contest. They must bring in their artwork on either Friday, March 7 (from 3 to 6 p.m.), or Saturday, March 8 (from 9 to 11:30 a.m.). Walk-in entries are $7 each.
All 2-D art must be matted or framed, and ready to hang.
The exhibit will be open for public viewing from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 8.
An awards ceremony will be held at the close of viewing hours where all winners will be announced and prizes, certificates, and merit ribbons will be awarded.
The Student Art Contest is a program of the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District. For questions and official rules, go to www.biparks.org.
For help with online entries, call 206-842-2306, ext. 118.
For general questions about the contest, call contest manager Dinah Satterwhite at 206-842-0504, or email her directly at bistudentart@earthlink.net.
