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VALLEY — Entries are now being accepted for the first ever Making My Mark Youth Art Show to be held Saturday and Sunday April 12th and 13th in the big gym at Valley Community Center. The entry deadline will be April 4th, and there will be separate divisions for visual arts and creative writing.

The show will be highlighting the creativity of K-12 students from throughout Chambers County and the surrounding area. It’s open to youth who attend public, private or independent schools and those who are being home schooled. It’s also open to those who attend school just outside Chambers County, in the West Point and Beulah areas.

Valley Arts Council President Suzie Britt said she’s like to see the Community Center gym filled to capacity with area youth who are eager to show their creative abilities. “We have been thinking about doing something like this for a long time,” she said. “We thought this would be a good year to do it since its an anniversary year for the Arts Council. We’ve been doing these shows for 25 years now. It seems we get more participation with each passing year, and it’s always so gratifying to see the artistic ability we have both among our adults and our youth. We need these shows to display and celebrate the creativity we have here.”

Britt added that Arts Council members have been getting the word out about the show in the hope it will help generate lots of participation. There’s an entry fee of $5, and each entrant is allowed to submit two art entry and one creative writing entry. The student can enter both divisions if they wish or just one of them.

Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories recognizing creativity, technique and originality.

Arts Council members have distributed educator packets at all local schools to help encourage interest in the show. “It’s our aim to encourage artistic expression, provide a platform for students to showcase their work, foster community engagement and recognize excellence with prizes,” said Amy Guinn, an Arts Council member who will be serving as a judge for the event. “Every child has a story to tell and a unique way of seeing the world. Through Making My Mark we’re providing a platform where our local youth can shine and truly make their mark.”

“Right now we are fine tuning the upcoming show,” Britt said. “Anyone with questions can call me at (334) 333-7073 or by email at suziebritt@knology.net.”

Those who have registered for the show are asked to bring their visual or written work to the Community Center on the Friday before the Saturday and Sunday show. It will be a very busy day of setting up for the event. The Saturday, April 12th portion of the show will be taking place at the Community Center from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. EDT. The Sunday portion will be from 1 to 4:30.

For more information, visit www.valleyartscouncil.com or email arts councilvalleyal@gmail.com.