The Battle Creek Optimist Club is thrilled that we can once again offer the Optimist Excellence in Art Competition. This stellar opportunity is for school-aged children in our community to demonstrate their artistic skills through our Optimist Excellence in Art Competition. We are pleased that the venue again is Lakeview Square Mall, in the community room by Horrocks and Barnes & Noble. The students’ artwork will be on display from April 21 – 25, noon to 5 p.m. Any class/group/student in K-12th grades sponsored by a teacher may participate. Individual projects may be submitted by individual students with a teacher mentor recommendation or sponsor. The event is FREE and student registration is FREE. Student registrations are due by March 26.
We will have an Awards Night (casual event) on Friday, April 25, from 5 – 7 p.m. Last year we had over 1,400 people stop by and view the artwork during the week or attend the Awards Night. Over 900 students registered! While we were thrilled at the wonderful participation, it was a little crowded in our event space! In an attempt to make it a little less crowded and easier for students to be seen, we have divided the awards presentations into 3 time slots. Elementary students will receive their awards at 5:15 p.m.; Junior High at 5:45 p.m.; and High School at 6:15 p.m. For group competitors, we have added a third category of competition this year: collaboration – consisting of 2-5 students. We will still have individual (one entry per student) and group (consisting of 6 or more students) categories. Schools across Calhoun County have been invited to compete in the competition.
Exceptional young people will be competing for cash and prizes totaling $2,775.00. Students will be judged on both technical skill and originality. We are so excited that we will have the same judges as last year! Linda Holderbaum, from the Battle Creek Art Center; Heather Stratton, Kellogg Community College Art Instructor; and Brandon D-Arcangelo, Admissions Counselor at Kendall School of Art and Design at Ferris State University. Last year, eight high school students were offered scholarships from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University for their outstanding artwork.
In addition to student prizes, two outstanding teachers will be recognized and awarded a plaque and cash prize. The Optimist Excellence in Art Teacher of the Year Award will be determined by nominations from principals and/or teachers from the art competition participating teachers’ school and/or from other art competition participating schools and evaluated by the Battle Creek Optimist Club Members. The Art of the Optimist Award selection will be determined by the Battle Creek Optimist Club and awarded based on the level of support for the Optimist Excellent in Art event.
Our “Wish Tree” will be available again this year, but it will be set up during the week of the Awards Night, when the artwork will be on display. We will have tags on the tree with requested art supplies from the art educators, and a price to purchase those products. You will have opportunities Monday-Thursday, April 21-25, from noon – 5 p.m., so purchase tags off the tree. During the week, tags can be purchased using cash or check. Credit Cards can be used only during the Awards Night.
You can support our students and schools by coming out to the art show, attending the Awards Night, or becoming a sponsor for the event. Sponsorships are needed from local businesses and community members who want to support our schools and students.
We hope, with help from our sponsors, to achieve four distinct purposes:
- To provide our children with an opportunity to showcase their talents now and inspire our community’s further positive involvement in the growth of their skills.
- To increase awareness about the importance of art opportunities for our community’s children.
- To solicit funds for our schools to promote art programming and opportunities for our children.
- To educate about the Optimist Club’s impact on the lives of children in the greater Battle Creek area through its service and advocacy.
If you wish to sponsor this amazing opportunity for our students, please see a local Battle Creek Optimist Member, Facebook page, call 269-760-2394, or email optimistbattlecreek@gmail.com for more information.
