The Ontario Art Education Association is sponsoring a Visual Arts Competition to highlight teen mentalhealth and wellness. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Canadians in many ways and, in particular,brought awareness of mental health concerns to the forefront. Using visual or media art forms, we areasking students to visualize ways that people can respond to, prevent, support, and, hopefully,overcome mental health challenges that affect oneself or others. Most importantly, these visualstatements should clearly demonstrate empathy and humanity in their conceptual approach, ratherthan concentrating on sensational imagery or a detached point of view.
The chosen artist will have their image printed on a merchandise item of their choosing. In addition,their teacher will receive a free year’s membership to OAEA.
Deadline to submit is May 3rd!
The winning entry will be announced on May 9th, to coincide with Canadian Mental Health Week.
CRITERIA
Acceptable art forms can include drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, textiles, photography, digitalmedia or sculpture. Quality photographs of the completed artworks, both 2D and 3D, will constitute asubmission.An accompanying artist’s statement should outline the work’s intent and explain how it addresses theimpact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and wellness. Student’s statements shouldincorporate and demonstrate an understanding of applicable visual art and design vocabulary, e.g.,artelements, design principles, image conventions.
COMPETITION RULES
This timely theme has been selected to help spark students’ imaginations and artfully respond to areal-world concern. Submissions will be judged using the following criteria: appropriate, sensitive presentation of the theme; degree of artistic skills; thoughtful application of design principles; andoriginal use of imagery.