Bicentennial Arts Contest Exhibition to Showcase Community’s Underrepresented

Bloomington, Ind. – As part of the year-long observance of the Bloomington/Monroe County bicentennial,  young artists were invited to research local history to discover people or organizations from minority or underrepresented groups in the community and to create artworks inspired by them.   Artworks submitted to the Bicentennial Arts Contest will be exhibited at the Monroe County History Center from July 27 to October 27. The exhibition opens with a reception and awards presentation July 27 from 5–7 p.m.  

The contest was created by the City of Bloomington’s Arts Commission, Human Rights Commission, Commission on the Status of Black Males, Commission on the Status of Children and Youth, Commission on the Status of Women, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission and representatives from Monroe County. The purpose of the contest was to encourage young people to create artwork in a variety of media and to recognize the people and organizations from the community that are part of underrepresented groups. The contest celebrates diversity, acceptance, understanding, and art.

Artworks were submitted by both individuals and groups of artists, and winners were chosen by a committee that evaluated the artwork, with consideration for its context and inspiration. Each winner will receive a cash prize and a certificate of recognition from both the City and County. The winners, according to category, include Addison Morwick (1st place) and Quincy Morwick (2nd place) in 3-D Art, Grades 3-6; Ellie Warren (1st place) and Arwen Hwang (2nd place) in 2-D Art, Grades 3-6; Mili Liu (1st place) in 2-D Art, Grades K-2;  Xavier Wright, Khalil Blakely, Israel Wright, and Lilli Wright, group multimedia winner, Grades K-6.

The Bicentennial Arts Contest will be on view on the second floor of the Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St. The center is open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with an admission charge of $2 for adults and $1 for youth 6-17 years of age.  There is no admission charge during the July 27 reception.
 

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