14TH ANNUAL ART & ESSAY CONTEST

“The Sound of PEACE”

Contest Theme

We are seeking submissions exploring the imaginative premise of what peace might sound like. We encourage students to think critically and express about a world where peace has a voice, a melody, a rhythm or harmony.
What if peace could sing? What would it sound like?
Imagine peace as a symphony. What melodies does it play? What rhythms resonate with harmony and tranquility? Does it whisper like a gentle breeze or roar like a triumphant chorus? We challenge you to convey your vision of peace through art and words.

We advise students to be creative and passionate in their essays and to share their own experiences and perspectives on this important topic.

Here are some topics that may give ideas (not necessarily a comprehensive list):
CONNECTIVITY
Social media bridges gaps, fostering global understanding and collaboration.
EMPHATY
Sharing stories promotes compassion, inspiring collective efforts towards peace.
DIALOGUE
Open conversations on social platforms facilitate conflict resolution and tolerance.
AWARENESS
Social media amplifies marginalized voices, shedding light on critical peacebuilding issues.
MOBILIZATION
Online platforms enable grassroots movements to drive positive change.
INCLUSIVITY
Social media fosters diverse perspectives, nurturing a more harmonious society.

Essay Contest

- Participants must submit their essays online at www.artandessay.org.
- Essays must be original, unpublished, and written by one student.
- Each student may submit only one (1) essay.
- We ask teachers to sponsor students and guide them. Submissions by students or parents without a teacher’s approval are not accepted.
- Each essay should be no more than 1000 words.
- Each essay should be written in Microsoft Word, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, size 12, and should not have any images in the document.
- Essays may be one of the following types: (1) Informative Essay, (2) Narrative Story, or (3) True Story.
- Top three places and five mentions for each category of participants will have their names published on our website and will receive their prizes at the award ceremony.
Each submission will be judged on the basis of following criteria: (1) grammar, (2) uniqueness, (3) writing style and flow, and (4) understanding of the theme and its implementation in the piece.
- Each submission must include student name, email, grade level, school name, sponsoring teacher’s name and email.
- Participants automatically consent to their work being used and copied by Peace Islands Institute for promotional and/or informational purposes.

Art Contest

- Participants must mail their artworks to PII offices. Digital submissions via www.artandessay.org. are also accepted, however be aware that the disruptions due to the digitization of the submission may impact your chances.
- Each student may submit only one artwork.
- We ask teachers to sponsor students and guide them. Submissions by students or parents without a teacher’s approval are not accepted. - Artworks ranked in the top 15 will be displayed during the award ceremony.
- Participants may submit entries utilizing any medium in a 2-D format. Drawing, watercolor, oil paint, acrylic paint, collages, digital art, mixed media are accepted. (No sculpture or photography!).
- Submissions may be one of the following sizes: 16”x16”, 16”x12”, or 17”x11”.
- A jury of art professionals will judge the submitted works on the basis of the following: (1) uniqueness, (2) creative/expressive use of materials, (3) artistry of execution, and (4) integration of medium and message (overall impact of the visual idea)
- Each submission must have student name, email, grade level, school name, sponsoring teacher’s name and email on the back of the artwork:
- Participants automatically consent to their artwork being used and copied by Peace Islands Institute for promotional and/or informational purposes.
- Artworks will not be returned to students.
SECOND
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AWARD
FIRST
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AWARD
THIRD
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AWARD
HONORABLE MENTIONS
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5 HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR EACH CATEGORY
We have 5 honorable mentions for each category as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!

Creativity Takes Courage

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