Natalia Ashton, left, and Amura Brevick work on their submissions for the chamber of commerce Fourth of July art contest. The theme of this year's celebration is "A River Runs Through Us."
"A River Runs Through Us" is the theme chosen for this year's Fourth of July celebration in Wrangell, prompting event organizers to hold a first-ever art contest, with the winner's work being featured on posters and other swag. Plus, there's a chance to win $1,000.
Entries can come from anyone and can be hard copies or digital. The piece should capture the theme of the contest, which refers to the Stikine River. The deadline is Friday by 4 p.m.
"It's a connection that everybody from here understands, whether they've been up (the Stikine) or not," said Brittani Robbins, the executive director of the chamber of commerce and the one who came up with this year's theme. She said it is important to the chamber to involve the community.
Tawney Crowley, the designer of last year's theme, "Find Your Adventure," said she wouldn't be entering the contest but is encouraging others to do so.
"I've done a lot of stuff to get my artwork into the community," Crowley said. "There are quite a few people I had no idea who were harboring this talent."
Crowley said it's encouraging to see both adults and children working on submissions. She's been approached for her artistic guidance and critiquing.
"They lit up at the opportunity once they knew what the contest was for," she said. "They're not even concerned with winning, they're just glad to be included."
Students at Stikine Middle School have been working on entries during Laura Davies art and technology classes. She saw the contest as an opportunity to teach about the purpose of art and what makes for good design.
"When you're a teacher and you try to come up with a good project, whenever you can integrate place - they all love the Fourth of July, they love the river, they love their community - they're suddenly motivated to draw things because it's their lives," Davies said. "If it was a logo contest for extra math homework, that's not going to go over well."
Davies has been teaching her students the elements of design, asking them to look at what makes a good logo. "You don't want it too cluttered. You want it to stand out. What's the message," she said.
During her art class last Wednesday, students huddled at benches over their sketchpads and iPads, drawing out ideas. Some were still brainstorming, while others were partway through the process and still others had nearly completed works of art.
Natalia Ashton's drawing depicted the Stikine River pouring out of her sketchbook, while Amura Brevick worked on a picture of the fireworks exploding above the mountains and river.
"That's what Fourth of July reminds me of, the fireworks and all that," Brevick said about her work. "My favorite part is the parade. I get to ride with my dad. He's a police officer."
Robbins said submissions can be dropped off at the chamber of commerce office inside the Stikine Inn, mailed or emailed to info@wrangellchamber.com. The Fourth of July committee will select their favorites and the chamber board will select the winner, who will be announced May 13.
"It's just nice to involve everyone because there are some (people) out there that are remarkably talented," Robbins said.
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