Art contest focuses on reconciliation

Continuing the conversation about reconciliation, United Way is teaming up with Reconciliation Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network to invite local residents to submit artistic expressions of reconciliation for a chance to win on of three cash prizes.

This contest is open to all residents of Lethbridge and can be in the form of paintings, drawings, videos maximum of 10 minutes, songs, poetry, photography, digital compositions, mixed media, sculptures, weaving, needle point and short stories with a maximum of 5,000 words.

“Conversations about reconciliation need to be happening year-round,” says Janelle Marietta-Vasquez, United Way operations director. “We need to be talking about, and doing things, that foster kindness and understanding about the harms that were caused to Indigenous people through the impacts of residential schools.”

A completed copy of the submission form must accompany your submission, and only one submission per artist. Individuals and groups may collaborate on a submission; however winning submissions will be awarded only one cash prize.

First-prize winner takes home $350 sponsored through Reconciliation Lethbridge, second prize gets $200 from United Way, and third prize wins $150 sponsored from the Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network.

Winners will be announced to the public during the week of Nov. 19-23. The winners will be contacted to arrange pickup dates which will follow a longer public display period. In addition to the cash prize, winning submissions and an artist profile will be featured on social media.

Physical submissions such as paintings and sculptures may be delivered to United Way at 1277 3 Ave. S., Lethbridge. Digital submissions may be emailed to together@lethbridgeunitedway.ca.

By submitting to this contest, artists give United Way permission to publicly display their work with name attached. Even though there will only be three winners, each submission is valued and recognized as a step toward reconciliation in the community. Deadline for submission is Nov. 1. For more information on the contest and where to download the submission forms visit lethbridgeunitedway.ca/reconcili ation.