Using Art to Fight Racism

The following post was written by guest blogger Jeff James - Chairman of the volunteer action group Create WV and CEO of Mythology Marketing in Charleston. When Jeff heard about the upcoming YWCA Eliminating Racism Art Contest, he immediately posted the the entire event press release along with the following post on the Create WV blog, which is read by individuals across West Virginia and beyond.

The YWCA of Charleston is so grateful to Jeff and the Create WV team for their dedication to building and fostering creative communities across the state for success in the new economy. Their initiatives of entrepreneurship, arts and culture, education and talent, tolerance and diversity, technology, and quality of place, tie directly into the ideals of the YWCA of Charleston. With partnerships like this, we truly can make West Virginia a better place.

Using Art to Fight Racism - Many of us on the Create WV team believe that art can play a much more significant role in our state. At its best, art can not just affect the emotions and thoughts of individuals, but of entire communities or even societies. Art can tell the truth and rest untruth in ways that everyday conversation can't.

That's why we're excited about the way the YWCA of Charleston has decided to tap the power of art to achieve one of their organizational objectives, to eliminate racism. The team at the YWCA has shown their creativity and resourcefulness in many ways over the years, so this innovative event doesn't surprise us. But we do think its a good example of how we can all embrace the arts to spark change.

Please support this event, or better yet, steal it for your organization in your community! Great work YWCA.

Want to submit your artwork to the YWCA Eliminating Racism Art Contest? Read the event details here and download the submission form here.

• Age categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, College, Adult
• Art specifications: Any 2-dimensional piece of artwork no larger than 11" x 17" is eligible for the exhibit – including (but not limited to) paintings, sketches, posters and photography
• Artwork must be dropped off at the YWCA with a completed and signed submission form by Friday, January 30 at 5 pm.
• Prizes: A panel of three judges will choose a winner from each age category based on the piece’s creativity and representation of the theme. The overall "Best in Show" winning piece will be featured on the cover of the spring YWCA newsletter.