Sisters of Providence 2014 Youth Art Contest now accepting entries

Calling all young Wabash Valley artists, ages 5-18! You are invited to enter your creative, artistic masterpiece in the Sisters of Providence 8^th annual Youth Art Contest. Submissions are now being accepted, through 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at Owens Hall Reception, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

Youth may submit an artwork he or she has created based upon the theme “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin–A Woman and her Work.” Mother Theodore was a Catholic sister who worked in a variety of ways to help children, the sick and the poor. She was a pioneer and world traveler who left her home in France to educate children in the Indiana wilderness. She was a teacher and administrator at schools in France and Indiana. She helped open and manage several orphanages. Mother Theodore also managed the builders to construct the Academy (now Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College).

She worked with farmers to plant crops and raise cattle. She was able to dispense medicine to the sick because of her knowledge of pharmacy. Mother Theodore was also a savvy business woman, visiting the local newspaper office to keep them up-to-date with happenings at the Woods. She was a firefighter, rallying the men to help fight the barn fires. Mother Theodore was a wise counselor and loved nature and the environment.

The artwork submitted should highlight one or more ways in which Saint Mother Theodore worked with or served others. Learn more about Mother Theodore and her work at artcontest.org.

Artwork must be original, created in 2014 and no larger than 11-inches x 17-inches. It must be a “flat” piece of artwork that is mounted on foam board or cardboard and is ready for display. The 2014 Youth Art Contest entry form must be attached to the back of the artwork.

Artists must reside in Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, Parke and Vermillion counties in Indiana or Clark, Edgar and Crawford counties in Illinois. Only one entry per artist will be accepted.

New this year – Artwork will be accepted at the reception/phone room in Owens Hall at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Top winners in each of the four age divisions (5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-18) will receive cash prizes, ribbons and certificates. Each young artist who enters the contest will receive a participant ribbon and certificate.

A reception for all youth who enter the contest is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room at Providence Spirituality and Conference Center.

“Each year we are encouraged and delighted by the talent displayed by children of all ages,” said Sister of Providence General Superior Sister Denise Wilkinson of the yearly art competition. “The evening exhibit where the community comes out and the artists are recognized is one of my favorite things we do all year.”

“I hope participants take away a sense of being a part of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and a part of the Sisters of Providence. And I hope they know they are welcome to return here with their family and friends because there is so much to see and do here,” Sister Denise said.

The Youth Art Contest is sponsored by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, a Congregation of Roman Catholic religious sisters committed to serving God’s people through works of love, mercy and justice.