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Shutterstock image by Geo Anderson
ROYAL OAK — Once again, the youth of Royal Oak are being asked to showcase their love for the city through personalized art pieces in the “I Love Royal Oak” drawing contest.
Students in kindergarten through the 12th grade who are enrolled in the Royal Oak School District can submit applications until noon on Feb. 28.
Artwork must be submitted to one of the following locations within the time frame for entries: Royal Oak City Hall, 203 S. Troy St.; Royal Oak Public Library Youth Services, 222 E. 11 Mile Road; or The Caboose, Sidetrack Books for Kids, 220 W. Fourth St.
Daniel Solomon, downtown development manager for the city of Royal Oak, said that this project is a great way to engage the students with the community.
“It’s important to love where you live,” Solomon said. “It’s important to feel comfortable in the downtown that you visit and that you call home.”
Students participating in the contest will be competing in groups consisting of grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Each student will have the chance to win a monetary prize.
Students in grades 9-12 will be competing for the first-place prize of $750, second-place prize of $500 and third-place prize of $250.
Students in grades 6-8 will compete for the first-place prize of $500, second-place prize of $250 and third-place prize of $100.
Grades K-5 will compete to potentially win the first-place prize of $250, second-place prize of $150 and third-place prize of $100.
Solomon said that traditionally for this contest the Downtown Development Authority would put together a panel of judges who are active in the art community along with DDA staff members.
New this year is a rubric added to the submission packet outlining the criteria and what the drawings are being judged on.
Submissions will be graded on creativity and originality, adherence to the theme, and overall appeal and quality, according to the entrance form and guidelines packet provided on romi.gov.
Winners of the contest will be announced during the display days downtown from March 5 to April 4.
After the submission period, the artists’ work will be displayed across downtown Royal Oak within various businesses.
“The feedback we received last year was very positive when it was around downtown. A lot of families got out and were able to go and see them (the art) (on) the side of coffee shops and retailers,” Solomon said. “It’s a very interactive experience that I think lends itself to not just continuing in the future, but growing the program as it gets more exposure.”
Solomon said that the contest not only gives the students an outlet to express their artistry, but also a learning opportunity about the infrastructure of a city.
“I know last year a number of teachers included this in their lesson plans, because it was a great opportunity for them to perhaps teach them surrealism or teach them a different art method,” he said. “The students might get inspired to pursue a career in art, or continue to do their art around town, or participate with the Commission for the Arts. … Our downtown really cares a lot about art.”
Solomon hopes through this exposure some of the participants will continue their love of art and gain the confidence needed to participate in more art shows.
“Around 2 million people a year visit downtown, so that turns into giving young artists and art enthusiasts a platform to get started,” he said. “We can’t wait to get more students and see them making colorful images on storefront windows and seeing the families joyously walking around.”
Judy Davids, Royal Oak community engagement specialist, said that the contest is a great way to give a voice to the youngest residents of Royal Oak.
“The ‘I Love Royal Oak’ contest is a wonderful way to hear from our youngest residents about what makes their hometown special to them,” Davids said. “When you grow up loving where you live, you take pride in it. This contest gives us insight into things Royal Oak should build for future generations!”
For contest guidelines and more information on the contest, visit romi.gov/1827/I-Love-Royal-Oak-Drawing-Contest. All entrants must complete an entrance form and artist statement sheet while submitting. The form can also be found at the link.
