BENTON COUNTY — VFW seeks patriotic artists

Pea Ridge VFW Auxiliary Post 8109 is sponsoring a Creative Patriotic Art contest for Young Americans, grades nine through 12.

Participants must submit entries to the Pea Ridge (Wood-Hall) VFW Auxiliary Post 8109 by March 31, 2010.

The first-place winner from each auxiliary will be sent to District 1 youth activities chairman for judging and are then judged on the department (state) level.

Only the first place department winner is eligible for the national competition.

There are 51 departments (including Washington, D.C.). The national scholarships range from $2,500 to $10,000. First place includes a plaque and airfare plus two nights lodging to attend the 2010 Ladies Auxiliary National Convention.

Art must be on paper or canvas. Water color, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen-andink or oil may be used.

Digital art may be used but must be on paper or canvas - no discs will be accepted. Submit canvas entries on stretcher frames - do not frame. Other entries must be matted on white - no color mats. The art should be no smaller than 8- by 10-inches or larger than 18- by 24-inches, not including mat.

If the art includes the American flag, it must conform to the federal flag code as far as color, number of stars and stripes, and other pertinent rules of the code. The flag must be used in its entirety. Codes may be found at the library.

For entry forms, call president Virginia Hance at 631-7641.

Mule Jump art contest

In support of the city’s annual Mule Jump, the Pea Ridge Optimist Club is sponsoring an art contest.

The contest is open to the community and to all ages. Top artworks in each category will win ribbons with a $25 cash prize for the first place winners in the following categories: preschool - 2nd grade, 3rd - 5th grade, 6th - 8th grade, 9th - 12th grade and adult.

Artwork can be of anything Mule Jump related (events, logo suggestions, etc.), and should be either cardboard backed or on stretched canvas with name, address, age and phone number printed on back.

Entries can either be turned in to John McGee, Pea Ridge schools art teacher or to The Times Office. Deadline for entryis May 15, with winners announced by June 1.

Leading up to the Mule Jump, artwork will be displayed at local businesses and weather permitting, displayed on site the day of the event.

For more information, contact Sandy Lasater at 903-6795.

Community, Pages 6 on 03/24/2010