Published: December 08, 2007 10:43 pm            

Young artists’ work shown

The City of Stillwater Sister Cities Council is showing the traveling exhibit of artwork of the Sister Cities International Young Artist Showcase at Stillwater Community Center.

The 10 winning paintings from the 2007 competition, “An Open and Accessible World for All,” will be on display through Dec. 23. The artists are from the United States, Japan, Philippines, China, Hungary, Mexico and New Zealand.

Since 1988, the SCI young artist program has inspired youth from around the world to use the competition’s yearly theme to express their interpretation of the mission to promote peace throughout the world. The Stillwater Sister Cities Council participates in the artist program annually and has sponsored seven international winners.

The first winner was Tsubasa Nakano from Stillwater’s sister city in Kameoka, Japan, who traveled to the SCI annual meeting in Portland, Ore., to accept his $1,000 award. Stillwater winners have included Kevin Clayton, Mary Clinkenbeard, Sarah Needham and Afton Geyer; other Kameoka winners have been Izumi Ariyoshi and Kanai Takamuki.

In 2008, the SCI art program will celebrate its 20th anniversary and will honor the top 20 finalists by displaying their artwork at the annual conference in Kansas City. The Stillwater Sister Cities Council is celebrating 20 years of participation by inviting local young artists (ages 13 to 18) to submit an entry for the 20th art competition.

The theme, “A Reflection of Your Community,” celebrates the uniqueness of cities, towns and communities throughout the world. The local winning entry receives a $100 award and will be entered in the SCI competition.

SCI will honor the top 20 finalists at the annual conference by displaying their artwork with the top 10 receiving a $300 award. The top artist with the most outstanding entry will be provided free registration and a stipend to attend the SCI Youth Conference in Kansas City in July.

A reception highlighting the Sister Cities International 2007 Young Artist Showcase Tour will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

For more information about the 20th Annual Young Artists Showcase, visit the City of Stillwater’s website at or contact the Stillwater Community Center.

For guidelines on artwork for the 2008 contest, visit the SCI website at scidocs/YoungArtistsBrochure2007.pdf>.

        

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