Art Contest may help define Orillia

For immediate release (November 18, 2014) – The City of Orillia is calling on local students with creative flair to help gather feedback on the future identity of Orillia.

The Imagine Orillia! Youth Art Contest is open to all elementary and secondary students in the Orillia area, and one local artist will win $50. The contest is part of the City’s Branding and Wayfinding project. 

“We’ve received tremendous community input on the branding and wayfinding project,” said Laura Thompson, Manager of Communications. “We want to hear from youth in the community and this art contest makes the branding project accessible to a range of young students throughout the Orillia area.” 

The art contest encourages students to draw, paint or sketch what they feel makes Orillia special to them. This could include the environment, family, friends, playgrounds, buildings, recreational activities and more. Artists are encouraged to include one sentence or phrase describing this on the front of their artwork. Submissions will complement existing feedback, including input from the public engagement sessions held in September, and feedback received through over 450 surveys this summer. 

“We’re looking forward to reviewing the submitted artwork,” said Thompson.  “Youth often bring a unique and authentic perspective to the table which is especially important when trying to define the place we call home.” 

Submitted artwork will be categorized into key themes which will likely be incorporated into the final report.  Artwork may also be showcased on the project website or at the Open House tentatively planned for early 2015. One artist will be chosen at random to receive a cash prize of $50. 

Artists not in elementary or secondary school are invited to submit their artwork; these submissions will not be eligible for the contest, but will still be included as feedback into the overall project.  The art contest closes on Friday, November 28, 2014.

For more information on the Imagine Orillia! Youth Art Contest, or to learn about the Branding & Wayfinding Project visit www.orillia.ca/branding.

Imagine Orillia! Youth Art Contest Poster

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Dan Landry
Manager of Economic Development
705-325-4900
dlandry@orillia.ca

Laura Thompson
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-826-4399 (cell)
lthompson@orillia.ca