Sebastopol World Friends

Since 1988, the Sister Cities International Young Artists Showcase has encouraged youth from around the globe to consider the honorable mission of Sister Cities International and express their interpretation of that mission promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, cooperation through one individual, one community at a time. Hundreds of artists have shared their talent with the sister cities community over the past 20 years.

2010 Showcase: Your World

The 2010 theme — Your World — is an opportunity for you to express your personal vision of what makes you the person you are. International travel and cultural experiences can impact your life in many different ways. How have cultures and experiences influenced your ideas and perspectives of the world?

Interpreting the Theme

Judges do not expect to see a globe or your neighborhood, although some may appear as creative elements of your artwork - but rather the theme is intended to allow you to share your vision of your world through your artistic abilities... think outside the globe. Submissions will be judged on originality, composition, and adherence to the theme. The use of commonplace symbols of unity, diversity, and globalization can be used but only to complement the personal testimony of the artist or author.

Eligibility and Media

• Participants must be between 13 and 18 years of age on April 30, 2010.
• Entries must be submitted at Sebastopol City Hall by March 15, 2010.
• Each entry must be submitted with an official entry form and the $10 entry fee. Requests for scholarships will be considered.
• Only two-dimensional artwork, no larger than 24" x 30" (60cm x 75cm), including matting is accepted. Water color, oils, pastels, pen and ink, charcoal, photography, two-dimensional mixed media, as well as computer generated art, are all acceptable media.

West County Judging and Awards

West Sonoma County entries may be submitted until March 10, 2010. Judges in the Sebastopol competition will include local artisans, an art teacher, a city government representative, and a SWF board member. The judges will select the winner based on originality, composition, and theme interpretation. Our area winner will receive a $100 first prize.

International Judging and Awards

• The international judging for the 2010 Young Artists Showcase will take place during the last week of May. All artwork sponsors will be contacted during the first week of June. A panel of judges selects the winners based on originality, composition, and theme interpretation. Awards will be distributed at that time as well.
• 10 International Finalists will be selected from the total entries.
• These 10 pieces of art will be displayed at the 2010 Exhibition at the annual conference in Albuquerque, NM. They will also go on an international tour to select Sister City locations.
• From the 10 winning works, one U.S. artist and one international artist will be selected as overall winners. Each will be awarded a complimentary registration for the 2010 Youth Leadership Conference in Albuquerque, NM, (July 27 to August 1,2010) along with $1,000 toward airfare to the conference or as a cash prize.

Contact Leaf Roberts for further information at (707) 823-4100 or leafroberts@yahoo.com.