BRATTLEBORO, VT — The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) is now accepting submissions for the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a prestigious national recognition initiative for teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent. Vermont students in grades 7-12 are invited to submit art and writing entries in dozens of categories, including ceramics, digital art, painting, photography, poetry, humor, science fiction, personal essay/memoir, and more. The submission deadline is December 16, 2015. Students and teachers seeking guidelines or additional information are encouraged to visit www.brattleboromuseum.org or to contact Sarah Freeman at 802-257-0124, ext. 102 or sarah@brattleboromuseum.org.
Since its founding in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have nurtured the talents and helped launch the careers of many creative visionaries. Past winners include Truman Capote, Lena Dunham, Stephen King, Sylvia Plath, John Updike, and Andy Warhol, among many others. Last year, Edil Hassan, a high school senior from Burlington, Vermont, joined that rarefied group, when she was selected as one of only 16 recipients nationwide of the Awards’ highest honor, a Portfolio Gold Medal and $10,000 college scholarship.
Vermont students may submit original works in any of the Awards’ art and writing categories. All works are evaluated based on originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal vision or voice — first regionally through BMAC and then nationally by a panel of esteemed artists and writers. Nikki Giovanni, Red Grooms, Paul Giamatti, Faith Ringgold, Wangechi Mutu, David Sedaris, and Andres Serrano are among those who have served as past jurors. Vermont winners will be announced by the end of January, and a selection of award-winning work will be exhibited at BMAC for three weeks beginning February 20, culminating in an Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 12 at 12 noon. National award winners will be announced by the end of March.
Founded in 1972, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center presents rotating exhibits of contemporary art, complemented by lectures, artist talks, film screenings, and other public programs. The museum’s exhibits and gift shop are open every day except Tuesday, 11-5. Regular admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students. Members and children 18 and under are admitted free of charge. Located in historic Union Station in downtown Brattleboro, at the intersection of Main Street and Routes 119 and 142, the museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 802-257-0124 or visit www.brattleboromuseum.org.
Major support for BMAC is provided by its members, the Vermont Arts Council, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, People’s United Bank, Brattleboro Ford Subaru, Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery, and Allen Brothers Oil.
