Entries accepted for Sister City Young Artist Competition

Garland County high school students 13 to 18 years old can participate in Sister Cities International's Annual Young Artists Showcase.

Students from Hanamaki, Japan, Hot Springs' sister city, will also participate in the art competition, sponsored by the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation in partnership with Emergent Arts and the Garland County Library.

Using the theme "The Art of Diplomacy," young artists and authors can submit original artwork and writing to the Garland County Library, 1427 Malvern Ave., by 5 p.m. March 15. Art entries must be matted with the individual application taped on the back of each entry.

There is no entry fee for the local contest. All entries will be displayed at the Garland County Library from March 19 until April 20. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. First-place winning entries from Hanamaki and Hot Springs will be sent to Sister Cities International for national competition, with entry fees paid by the Sister City Foundation. If selected as a national finalist, the artwork will be displayed at SCI's Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., and then go on to tour selected sister city locations for one year.

Grand prize at the SCI competition is $1,000. Entry forms and showcase guidelines can be found on the Sister City Program page of the city of Hot Springs website at http://www.cityhs.net or at the Garland County Library or Emergent Arts.

Call Emergent Arts at 501-655-0836, or contact Sister City Program Coordinator Mary Zunick by email at [email protected] or by calling 501-545‐6960 for more information.