The St. Marys office has a workspace with a sign on the large island that reads: “Don’t STRESS. Do your BEST. FORGET the rest.”
And this past August, they did just that by hosting a free Art Contest for local kids ranging from kindergarteners to seniors in high school. What began as an idea blossomed into reality when LaVonda Turner contacted her local Board of Education to express her office’s idea and get permission to deliver flyers announcing the contest to the schools’ art teachers. The board loved the idea and helped get the ball rolling by promoting the contest in their schools where three art teachers turned it into an assignment. The teachers even asked Turner to make the contest an annual event!
The theme of the contest was “My Hometown” and contestants drew tall buildings, beaches, football stadiums, houses, water fountains, churches, mermaids, and more.
The categories were K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and the rules were simple: all artwork was to be done on 8-½” x 11” white unruled paper and the artists were not to sign their names to the front of their submissions. They were given a three-week timeline between August 1-19 in which to produce their artwork. No Watson Realty Corp. employee family members were allowed to participate.
Judging took place the week after the 19th by members of The Coastal Camden Art League who were instructed to pick the top five submissions in each grade level and then score them based on creativity, artistic design, and theme.
Contestants and their families were then invited to a festive Open House on August 30th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. where the winners were announced. Watson associates provided cookies, paint brush pretzels, bottled water, and a cupcake-decorating station with a hand-painted sign that read: “Art Makes You Think Big.”
Think big they did as the contestants poured their hearts and creativity into beautiful masterpieces!
First place winners were: Niko Torres, Peyton Obernberger, Kayden Grimm, and Liam Bridwell who each received a $50.00 cash prize and a hand-written thank-you card. All contestants received gift certificates as a thank-you for participating.
In addition to refreshments, Watson associates handed out promotional giveaways like school and art supplies, bags of candy, chap-sticks, and other fun prizes. All artists were given Watson-logoed bags in which to collect their goodies.
What a fantastic way to get young people involved in a fun community art event while drawing people into the Watson office! Awesome job, St. Marys associates!
And this past August, they did just that by hosting a free Art Contest for local kids ranging from kindergarteners to seniors in high school. What began as an idea blossomed into reality when LaVonda Turner contacted her local Board of Education to express her office’s idea and get permission to deliver flyers announcing the contest to the schools’ art teachers. The board loved the idea and helped get the ball rolling by promoting the contest in their schools where three art teachers turned it into an assignment. The teachers even asked Turner to make the contest an annual event!
The theme of the contest was “My Hometown” and contestants drew tall buildings, beaches, football stadiums, houses, water fountains, churches, mermaids, and more.
The categories were K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and the rules were simple: all artwork was to be done on 8-½” x 11” white unruled paper and the artists were not to sign their names to the front of their submissions. They were given a three-week timeline between August 1-19 in which to produce their artwork. No Watson Realty Corp. employee family members were allowed to participate.
Judging took place the week after the 19th by members of The Coastal Camden Art League who were instructed to pick the top five submissions in each grade level and then score them based on creativity, artistic design, and theme.
Contestants and their families were then invited to a festive Open House on August 30th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. where the winners were announced. Watson associates provided cookies, paint brush pretzels, bottled water, and a cupcake-decorating station with a hand-painted sign that read: “Art Makes You Think Big.”
Think big they did as the contestants poured their hearts and creativity into beautiful masterpieces!
First place winners were: Niko Torres, Peyton Obernberger, Kayden Grimm, and Liam Bridwell who each received a $50.00 cash prize and a hand-written thank-you card. All contestants received gift certificates as a thank-you for participating.
In addition to refreshments, Watson associates handed out promotional giveaways like school and art supplies, bags of candy, chap-sticks, and other fun prizes. All artists were given Watson-logoed bags in which to collect their goodies.
What a fantastic way to get young people involved in a fun community art event while drawing people into the Watson office! Awesome job, St. Marys associates!
Deb McDermott helps host St. Marys’ first-ever art contest and open house
K-12 Winner
3-5 Winner
6-8 Winner
9-12 Winner