State House of Representatives Jason Nemes (District 33) and Nima Kulkarni (District 40) joined with members of the Louisville Free Public Library and Louisville Visual Arts today, to announce the inaugural United We Stand Student Art Competition. This new visual art competition invites all students—kindergarten through 12th grade—living in Jefferson County, to use their creativity to envision what the first part of the Kentucky state motto, “United We Stand,” means to them.
“Even in these difficult times, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us,” said Representative Nemes. “That is why I am excited to join Rep. Kulkarni, our outstanding Louisville Free Public Library, and the Louisville Visual Arts community to start this youth art contest to celebrate that which unites us. I cannot wait to see what our youth have to teach us.”
"Every child is unique, and each has a different story to tell,” added Representative Kulkarni. “I am excited to join this initiative with Rep. Nemes, our Louisville Free Public Library, and Louisville Visual Arts to encourage our youth to tell their stories through art, and to teach us how diverse perspectives unite us and make our Commonwealth stronger."
Cash prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, place winners of three categories—2-Dimensional Visual Art, 3-Dimensional Visual Art, and Photography—in each of four groups: kindergarten – 2nd grade; 3rd – 5th grades; 6th – 8th grades; and 9th – 12th grades. Official rules and information on how to enter can be found at LFPL.org/UnitedWeStand. Artwork, along with a completed entry form, can be dropped off at any Louisville Free Public Library location, from January 4 – 9, during regular hours of operation. Deadline for submission of all artwork is 4 p.m., on January 9, 2021. For library locations and hours, visitLFPL.org/branches, or call (502) 574-1611.
“Art has a unique ability to express our thoughts, hopes, and dreams, and children's creativity knows no bounds,” said LVA Executive Director Kristian Anderson. “We are excited to see how our local school children interpret the theme of ‘United We Stand’ and want to thank representative's Kulkarni and Nemes for bringing this idea forward. It is great to start 2021 off with the type of optimism that only kids can bring to our community!”
“This competition is a great way to recognize how incredibly talented our students are, and to demonstrate how educational achievement inspires creativity, encourages civic engagement, and bridges cultural divisions,” added Library Director Lee Burchfield. “These ideals are central to the Library’s mission, so we are thrilled to be a partner in the United We Stand Student Art Competition.”
Winners will be announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 18.
