Upcoming Art Crawl to feature children’s art contest

The Amherstburg Art Crawl that is planned for July 20-21 will also have a children’s art contest.

The Amherstburg Art Society, the group that is organizing the second annual Art Crawl, is having one of the events during that weekend be the “My Hometown” children’s art contest. Children and their parents who wish to be part of it can start thinking now as submission forms and photos of original pieces of children’s art must be sent in by May 24.

Trudy Dempsey, a committee member, said there will be three age groups and those are kids ages 6-10, 11-13 and 14-18. Of the photos submitted, three youths will be selected out of each category and they will be invited to express, on a 2’x2’ panel, what the theme “My Hometown” means to them.

“Is it a favourite activity? Taking their dog for a walk in their park? A special event?” said Dempsey.  “Children have such vivid imaginations and are less inhibited when it comes to their art. No doubt the ‘My Hometown’ theme will spark those imaginations. We cannot wait to see the outcome.”

Entries are not just for Amherstburg residents, as Dempsey said the committee is seeking interested youth from around the region. The “My Hometown” theme will reflect what their hometowns mean to them, regardless of where that hometown is.

“We want this to be a big festival,” said Dempsey. “We’re reaching out to all of the towns in the region. We’re open to anyone who wishes to enter their children in the art contest.”All nine panels will be hung like a mural in Art Alley for a year, she noted. The Art Alley is located along the side of The Panetteria bakery on Ramsay St. The paintings will be covered with a protective coating to keep them safe from the elements.

The unveiling will be held July 29 at 12:30 p.m. Sawyer Dejonge from Art Crawl sponsor Dejonge Homes and committee members Dempsey and Dylan White will be part of the unveiling. For details, visit www.artamherstburg.ca and click on the “Contests” tab. Paper submission forms can also be obtained from the River Bookshop at 67 Richmond St. or the Gibson Gallery at 140 Richmond St. in Amherstburg.

Upcoming Art Crawl to feature children’s art contest

By Ron Giofu