LETHBRIDGE- For the fourth year, local artists of all ages and abilities are being invited to get creative for a chance to win a cash prize in the #YQL Expressions of Reconciliation Art & Media Contest.
The contest, a collaboration between United Way, the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee, Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network, and The Gallery at CASA, provides an opportunity to continue conversations about reconciliation in south western Alberta communities following Lethbridge’s Reconciliation Week in September.
The theme of the contest in 2021 is “Voice and Representation” to coincide with the theme of Lethbridge’s Reconciliation Week. Each submission must incorporate the theme.
“Seeing or hearing the creativity of others can inspire people to want to learn more about Indigenous culture, and educating ourselves is perhaps one of the most important steps in reconciliation.”
-Janelle Marietta (executive director, United Way)
“It will be really interesting to see this year’s submissions,” said United Way executive director Janelle Marietta. “After a year when so many things have gone digital, people may be thinking more about digital art forms like audio or video. With a theme like Voice and Representation, there are so many different directions for artists to go.”
Marietta also says art and creativity are helpful in continuing to foster understanding in the community.
“We have some new public art installations around town that were created by Indigenous artists. Things like that, or multimedia that’s easily accessible online can really help people to pause and think,” she said. “Seeing or hearing the creativity of others can inspire people to want to learn more about Indigenous culture, and educating ourselves is perhaps one of the most important steps in reconciliation.”
First, second and third place winners will be selected by a jury made up of representatives from contest partner organizations. Submissions will also be featured on United Way’s Facebook page for the People’s Choice component of the contest. For two weeks, community members will be invited to vote for their favourites. In addition to taking home a cash prize, contest winners will have their work displayed publicly at The Gallery at CASA following the contest.
Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, and also for the winner of the People’s Choice vote. The prizes are sponsored collectively by United Way, the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Council, and the Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network.
First Prize – $350.00
Second Prize – $200.00
Third Prize – $150.00
People’s Choice – $100.00
A variety of types of art will be accepted from artists of all ages and abilities. Full contest rules and submission information is available now at www.lethbridgeunitedway.ca/reconciliation. The deadline to submit a piece is Friday, October 29 at 5:00pm and the winners will be announced in mid-November.
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