First Lady invites Kentucky school children to submit original works for display, prizes
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky public, private and home school students are invited to submit original artwork and/or essays in the Governor’s Mansion Centennial Visual Art and Essay Contest sponsored by First Lady Jane Beshear, the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion Centennial Committee and the Kentucky Department of Education. The contest is part of a yearlong series of events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the current Kentucky Governor’s Mansion, also known as the “People’s House.”
“The yearlong Centennial Celebration is an exceptional opportunity for Kentucky students of all ages to learn about the architectural, political and social history of the Governor’s mansion,” said Mrs. Beshear. “These contests are a perfect way to get students involved in the Celebration, and winners will be honored at a special ceremony and have their works displayed at the Mansion alongside historical Centennial exhibits.”
The visual art contest is open to students in grades K-12. Students may use any medium to create a two- or three-dimensional artwork that reflects one of the visual art contest’s themes. First, second and third place winners will be named for students in grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Students must submit digital images of their work for judging.
The essay contest is open to students in grades 4-12 who must choose one of three writing prompts for the theme of their essay. First, second and third place winners will be selected at the following award levels: grades 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.
First place winners in each age group will receive a $100 prize, join the First Lady for lunch at the mansion and have their work publicly displayed at the mansion. Prize-winning student art work and essays will become sole property of the mansion as part of the mansion’s permanent collection.
Complete contest information, rules, judging criteria and an official entry form are available here and online athttp://governorsmansion.ky.gov/centennial/contest/. Only electronic entries submitted via e-mail will be accepted. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 14. Questions may be directed to or .
All Centennial events and exhibits are sponsored through private donations to the Kentucky Executive Mansions Foundation, Inc. (KEMFI). KEMFI is a 501(c)(3) organization established to undertake, promote and assist financially and otherwise support the modification to the restoration, maintenance and preservation of public buildings, sites, structures, places and objects of historic significance owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
For information about the mansion, tours and all the centennial events, visit the Governor’s Mansion website, like the “KentuckyGovernor’sMansion” on Facebook and follow “GovMansion1914” on Twitter.
