WRTA Buses Canvas for Go Art! Contest
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Power of the Arts is giving local artists have a chance to display their work on the outside of WRTA buses.
Through the nonprofit’s Go Arts! contest, artists of any age from Trumbull and Mahoning counties can submit their work to be entered in one of 18 contests, each sponsored by a regional organization or company. Each contest has specific criteria determined by the sponsor, and eligible artists can submit one image per contest, said Karen Schubert, coordinator for Power of the Arts.
“Some of the sponsors wished to champion particular artists, so there is a range of opportunities,” Schubert said. “For example, Trumbull New Theatre will sponsor an artist from Niles, giving preference to a theater theme. Easterseals [of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties] invites artists to work on a project with their clients, adults and children with disabilities. Timbre is interested in a collaboration of students working together. And Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Youngstown Alumnae Chapter, will sponsor an African-American female artist working in any medium to depict the Harlem Renaissance.”
Other sponsors include The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Cultivate co-op cafe, Jet Creative, Mahoning County Land Bank, Lit Youngstown, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, McKinley Memorial Museum, SMARTS: Students Motivated by the Arts, Alexis Smith, D.O., The Soap Gallery, The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, Youngstown CityScape, YNDC, and YWCA of Mahoning Valley.
Depending on the sponsor’s criteria, art may be done in any medium, including drawing, painting, photography, collage, photography and sculpture or ceramics. Final images will range up to a full wrap, which will completely cover a WRTA bus, save for the windows. Winning art will be displayed on WRTA buses in the spring or summer for at least one month.
“We loved the idea that WRTA buses would become a rolling public gallery, bringing art to us as we go about our days,” Schubert said. “One goal is that artists will see their work and feel encouraged by a community that cares so much about art. And we also want to make WRTA buses more visible, recognizing that they are a critical community asset.”
Finalists will be selected in a blind judging with winning images will be chosen by each sponsor. Winning artists will receive a $100 honorarium and an invitation to a reception hosted by the public library where they will meet their sponsors. Winning images will also be displayed at the library for the public to view.
For information on the contest and how to submit artwork, visit PowerOfTheArts.org/go-art-contests.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
