CONTEST RECOGNIZES WORK OF STUDENTS
DDA art contest will display winners’ works in downtown
Printed images of Royal Oak Schools elementary, middle and high school students’ drawings will be shown in storefronts throughout the downtown after winners are selected in a contest.
The deadline for the first annual “I Love Royal Oak” artwork submissions is Jan. 26.
The city’s Downtown Development Authority launched the contest in partnership with the school district this week.
In the past, the DDA has offered grants for storefront business owners who wanted to have an artist paint white holiday murals of white stars, ornaments, evergreen trees, large snowflakes and striped candy canes on business windows.
“Last year we did the window murals and folks gave us feedback to put up some art from school kids,” said Downtown Manager Daniel Solomon, “not only as a way for people to see their kids’ artwork, but to share the stories of the children and what makes the community special to them.”
Student artists are asked to do a drawing that exemplifies what they love about Royal Oak, whether it is a place, idea, or feeling that shows what they appreciate about being a part of the community.
The contest will award first, second and third place winners for each of the three school levels.
Students that win a place award will get a monetary prize ranging from $100 to $750.
The Royal Oak Commission for the Arts will be the jury for the art contest.
“The more people in the city we can encourage in the arts, the better,” said Jason Gittinger, chair of the arts commission and owner of The Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music. “Last year, we had one person (doing murals). This way it’s going to involve tons of art and get many more people involved.”
More information on the contest and requirements is on the city’s website at romi. gov/I-Love-Royal-Oak-Drawing-Contest.
Solomon said he and others know there are some very talented students in the schools.
“We can’t wait to see what they come up with,” he said, “and to showcase their creations for everyone to see.”
Art submissions from high school and middle school students will be featured as single printed artworks.
Artwork from elementary school students that is selected will be printed in single large collages featuring their classrooms’ entries.
After all the winning artworks are chosen, printed and installed, a map will be shared with the school district and families showing where the art is on display downtown.
“It’s a great marriage of the DDA’s efforts to beautify the downtown for visitors … and to include members of the community in the effort,” Gittinger said.
Formerly, the holiday murals were done at over 70 different downtown businesses.
Solomon said organizers won’t know how many storefront businesses will feature the students’ artwork until all the work is submitted later this month.
The plan is to have all the artwork publicly installed before the three-day Royal Oak Winter Blast starts Feb. 2, Solomon said, and leave them on display for the month of February.