Pencil & Palette Creative Contest

Pencil & Palette Contest, a new creative competition designed to amplify the voices of young people in participating Performance-based Standards facilities. This contest encourages participants to express their unique perspectives and experiences through three distinct categories: poetry, drawing, and short story/essay.

Theme: "How can we amplify voices through creativity to create an impact in our community and beyond?"

How to Participate:

  1. Poetry: Young people can write a poem that responds to one of the thought-provoking questions provided. Whether it’s reflecting on the role of mentors, sharing a personal story of strength through struggle, or exploring the significance of telling their story, participants can use poetry to convey their message.
  2. Drawing: For those who prefer visual art, this category allows participants to create an original drawing. The artwork can be in black and white or color, and should be accompanied by a brief explanation (200-400 words) detailing how the piece relates to the chosen question.
  3. Short Story/Essay: This category invites participants to delve deeper into the theme through a short story or essay, with a word count between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Writers can explore the impact of their experiences, the influence of mentors, or the journey of finding their voice.

Prizes:

  • $500 Cash Prize for each category winner.
  • The winning drawing will be featured on the cover of the CIYJ annual report.
  • Winning short stories and poems will be highlighted in the CIYJ annual report.

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