GMC PTO Announces the 2021 Annual Creative Writing and Art contest

Germantown, Tennessee--November 22nd, 2021--Over the course of multiple transitioning environments between virtual and in-person learning, we sometimes forget to enjoy our past-time hobbies and activities that truly make us happy. This year, the GMC PTO and student communications intern Priyanka Phaniraj will be hosting their two contests (art and writing) revolving around one theme: “My Happy Place.”

Rules and details are provided below:

Eligibility: Students must be currently enrolled in a Germantown Municipal School to enter the contest.

Grade Divisions: Entries will be classified in four different groups based on the participant’s year in school for the 2021-2022 school year:

High School: Grades 9-12

Middle School: Grades 6-8

Upper Elementary: Grades 3-5

Lower Elementary Grades K-2

Submissions Deadline:

Submissions for both writing and art contests must be received no later than January 18, 2022. Winners will be announced near the end of the Spring Semester.

Awards:

Awards will be given to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places in each category and per age group.

Art Contest

- Students may only submit one (1) piece from one (1) category.

- Each submission must include: student’s name, grade, school, home room teacher's name and a contact email. This must be in permanent ink on the back of the artwork/photograph.

- Digital art entries will submit a HARD COPY print out to their schools desired drop off location and a DIGITAL FILE on the submission website: https://forms.gle/4BFyc4BgGc9Gt1qU7

- Artwork must be original, unpublished, and completed by the student only.

Art Contest Categories:

- Visual - includes both Painting and Drawing (All Grades)

- Photography (All Grades)

- Digital Art (Middle and High School Only)

Additional Submission Guidelines:

*All images must be original and not appropriated from any other resource.

Photography submissions:

- May be either Color and Black & White

- Printed up to an 11" x 14" maximum size.

- Please do not frame photography submissions (dry mounting is acceptable but not required.) See below for details on specific on drop off of artwork at your school

Visual Art submissions:

- Artwork to be created using traditional media for Drawing and Painting (ex: charcoal, pastels, pencil, crayon, marker, watercolors, oil paints or acrylic paints.)

- Please do not matte or frame artwork.

- Artwork may be submitted on a variety of surfaces to include drawing/sketch paper, construction paper, and canvases.

-Original artwork must be no larger than a 16” x 20” maximum size. See below for details on specific on drop off of artwork at your school

Digital Art submissions:

- Artwork submitted must be digital paintings created with digital art software.

- All digital submissions to be in either JPEG or PDF files.

- Original artwork may not be larger than a 16”x20” maximum size.

- Submissions containing filtered photos, photo manipulations, collages or animation are not accepted.

- Digital art entries will submit a HARD COPY print out to their schools desired drop off location and a DIGITAL FILE on the submission website: https://forms.gle/4BFyc4BgGc9Gt1qU7

Artwork drop-off locations:

Riverdale: Front office

Dogwood Elementary: PTO Box in the front office with Ms. Tol

Farmington Elementary: Submit to the art teachers

Forest Hill Elementary: Front office

Houston Middle: Front office

Houston High: Amanda Schulter, Room M26

GOAL Academy: GMSD District Office

Creative Writing Contest

- Students may only submit one (1) piece from one (1) category.

- All submissions must be submitted online in PDF format: https://forms.gle/4BFyc4BgGc9Gt1qU7

- Writing pieces must be original, unpublished, and completed by the student only.

Writing Categories (choices for all grades):

- Personal Narrative

- Short Story

- Poems

Additional Submission Guidelines:

High School Students

Personal Narrative: 500 – 1000 words. Written from personal experience.

Short Story: 500 – 1000 words. Fictional story with multiple, developed characters.

Poem: Group of 3 poems, minimum of 10 lines each, any style accepted.

Middle School Students

Personal Narrative: 200 – 800 words. Written from personal experience.

Short Story: 200 – 800 words. Fictional story with multiple, developed characters.

Poem – Group of 3 poems, minimum of 6 lines each, any style accepted.

Older Elementary (Grades 3-5) School Students

Personal Narrative: 100 – 300 words. Written from personal experience.

Short Story: 100 – 300 words. Fictional story with developed characters.

Poem: 1 poem, minimum of 6 lines, any style accepted.

Elementary School (Grades K-2) Students

Personal Narrative: 100 – 200 words. Written from personal experience.

Short Story: 100 – 200 words. Fictional story with developed characters.

Poem: 1 poem, minimum of 6 lines, any style accepted.