Rich Howells

Call for artists issued for nature-themed artwork to display at Natural Play Area in Scranton

Call for artists issued for nature-themed artwork to display at Natural Play Area in Scranton
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From a press release:

The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority has put out a call to Northeastern Pennsylvania artists of all ages and skill levels for nature-themed artwork for an environmental education display at the Nay Aug Avenue Natural Play Area in Scranton.

The theme of the Natural Play Area is a Beaver Pond Ecosystem. The play features represent plants and animals that live and benefit from the beaver pond habitat like a turtle, fish, frog, water snake, and cattails. The play area also utilized recycled products, rescued native plants, natural wood materials more so than typical plastic play equipment, and rain gardens to handle storm water. Additionally, the mini‐roadway (tike trail) that surrounds the play area represents the ongoing interaction of humans and nature, which can be accomplished in a harmonious way. Overall, the play area design attempts to encourage creative play, parent/child interaction, and subtle environmental education opportunities.

Thus, the LHVA is looking for artwork with a theme that is similarly creative, visually appealing, and educational. Examples of artwork may include sketches of animals, insects, plants, or birds that inhabit the Lackawanna River and/or wetlands, a unique take on human/natural interactions, close‐up sketches or landscapes, and other creative expressions.

The submission deadline for the artwork, which will be installed inside the “fishing shack” at the Natural Play Area (1731-1737 Nay Aug Ave., Scranton), is Monday, March 27. There is no entry fee. The grand opening of this art installation initiative will be during Earth Week 2017.

Submissions will be categorized as follows: Elementary (K‐6th grade), Mid‐High School (7‐12th grade), and Community (all other ages). It is anticipated that five‐seven pieces of artwork will be selected from each category for the final display. Download the call for entries proposal here.

A diverse panel selected from local artists, environmental educators, museum professionals, designers, and teachers will judge/select the work for permanent display in the play area. Artwork will be judged on the following criteria: quality of the artwork, creativity of artwork/theme, educational value of the environmental fact, suitability for display in a public space used by children, and clarity and ability to be reproduced.

All submitted artwork will be displayed during First Friday Scranton on Friday, April 7 at a venue TBD. All artists and the public will be invited to attend the event. The selected artwork for permanent display will be announced during this event.

Artwork design requirements and entry rules:

  • Acceptable media includes paint, pen/ink, marker, pencil, or 2D mixed media. No 3D art or models because artwork must be scanned. No photographs will be accepted.
  • Entry dimensions must be no greater than 14 inches x 12 inches and must be unframed and unmatted.
  • The artist must include an interesting educational fact that has relevance to the submitted artwork topic. For example, beavers start to swim and hold their breath within four days of birth.
  • The artist can provide a title for the artwork, although it is not required.
  • Complete the entry form/ID tag and attach it to the reverse of each piece of artwork.
  • The limit is two pieces of original artwork.
  • Winning artwork will be scanned and the digital image will be reproduced/printed onto a sheet of 0.080 aluminum. Thus, the artwork should have enough definition/clarity for scanning as a high-quality image.
  • All artwork must be submitted to the Lackawanna Heritage Valley (213 S. 7th Ave., Scranton, PA 18505) between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or via mail prior to the March 27 deadline.