BRATTLEBORO — As the new Vermont affiliate for The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a national non-profit organization that identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center is now accepting submissions for the 2011 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Vermont students in grades 7-12 are invited to submit art and writing entries in a variety of categories, including comic art, ceramics and glass, digital art, architecture, painting, photography, video game, poetry, humor, dramatic script, science fiction, personal essay/memoir and more. The deadline for submission is Jan. 7, 2011. Students and teachers seeking guidelines or additional information are encouraged to visit www.artandwriting.org or to contact BMAC Education Curator Susan Calabria at 802-257-0124, ext. 102, or gallery@brattleboromuseum.org.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have an impressive legacy dating back to 1923 and a noteworthy roster of past winners, including Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford and Joyce Carol Oates. The Awards offer participants an opportunity to earn recognition, to have their work exhibited or published, and to win scholarships for summer programs or for college. Last year, more than 30,000 teens were recognized nationwide, with 1,300 receiving prestigious National Awards.
Two Vermonters fared especially well in 2010. Xavier Donnelly of Burlington High School (grade 12) won several awards, including National Portfolio Gold Medalist and a $10,000 college scholarship. Emily Collins, a home-schooled seventh grader from Westminster West, received the American Voices Medal, “National Best in Region” for Personal Essay & Memoir.
According to BMAC Education Curator Susan Calabria, “The Scholastic & Writing Awards have been the arena of first recognition for many students who have gone on to careers in the arts. The museum is honored to recognize young talent and dedicated teachers through this program.” Calabria noted that a selection of the work submitted by Vermont students will be displayed at BMAC Feb. 11-18, 2011, with a special recognition ceremony scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m.
Founded in 1972, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center is located in historic Union Station in downtown Brattleboro, at the intersection of Main Street (Route 5) and Routes 119 and 142. The museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 802-257-0124 or visit www.brattleboromuseum.org.