Project Safe Neighborhoods is extending the deadline for entries into its third annual “Draw Against Gun Violence” Poster Project and will be giving students until Dec. 6 to submit their work.
"We felt that with the poor weather conditions creating many school cancellations, especially on St. Croix, extending the deadline would allow the territory’s students more of an equal opportunity to compete," said local Project Safe Neighborhoods chairman Lou Lambert in a statement Monday.
The original deadline was Nov. 15.
In its ongoing effort to create an environment that improves the safety and security of all local residents, Project Safe Neighborhoods encourages students registered in grades 1 to 12 to submit original works of art that contain a message against gun crimes, such as "hard time for gun crime," "put the guns down" and "federal time for gun crime," or other similar slogans.
Last year, Project Safe Neighborhoods received 353 V.I. entries, which organizers said was a 45 percent increase over 2008.
The art can be drawings, paintings or computer graphics done in conjunction with school art programs or on a student’s own. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, concept and layout. Judging will be by members of Project Safe Neighborhoods, V.I. Council on the Arts, and law enforcement agencies.
Nine finalists will be chosen, three each in these categories: elementary school, grades 1 to 5; middle school, grades 6 to 8; and high school, grades 9 to 12. All finalists will receive a Netbook laptop valued at $ 350 each.
The winning artwork will be displayed on posters at businesses, schools and public outlets throughout the territory and will be forwarded to Project Safe Neighborhoods’ headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Entry forms and contest rules are available online at www.drawagainstgunviolence.com and at public and private schools in the territory. There is no fee for entering the contest.
Artwork can emailed or dropped off at the Curriculum Center on St. Croix and the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce office on St. Thomas.
