Decorate umbrella for Bartlett Heritage Days competition

Decorate an umbrella, and bring it to the Bartlett Heritage Days Art Decorating Competition, sponsored by Arts in Bartlett at Heritage Days on Sept. 10.

Organizers are looking for participants who have a creative flair and an interest in having a lot of fun, and willing to help donate their creation for a wonderful cause. The fifth annual Decorating Competition is for all ages and works will be showcased at the Heritage Days Festival on Sept. 10.

Umbrellas may be decorated by a group or an individual, and participants should bring their decorated umbrella to the park at Railroad and Main Street by the AT&T building, between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 10. The decorated umbrellas will be judged, exhibited at a gallery, and donated for a silent auction event later in the year, for the youth scholarship and Budding Talent Grant.

The criteria for selecting the winners includes: Artistic impression, originality, quality and aesthetic appeal. The winners for each category will receive a ribbon, certificate and free one-year membership to Arts in Bartlett. They will also be featured in news releases.

For information, contact Rita Lopienski, president of Arts in Bartlett, at (630) 956-8814.

Eligibility: Open to all of any age. Entries can be designed by individuals or by groups.

Specifications: Umbrellas of any size or material will be accepted. No limit on number of entries, and one entry form per kite. The umbrellas will be donated for purpose of auctioning at the anniversary party later in the year, to raise money for a high school senior scholarship and children Budding Talent Grants.

Setup Date and Time: Saturday, Sept. 10, at the park at Railroad and Main Streets by the AT&T building.

Check-in: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Judging: 2:30-3 p.m.; award ceremony: 3 p.m.

Additional Exhibiting: Following the competition, umbrellas will be on exhibit at the Arts in Bartlett Gallery and Center for the Arts until the 14th Anniversary Party and Auction.

Application Form: Application forms will be available at the park on Sept 10. Forms will be completed the day of the event.

Awards: There will be three categories, awarded with a ribbon, certificate and Arts in Bartlett membership. The winners will be promoted in newsletters and newspapers.

A jury of fine arts and crafts professionals will select the winners in the three categories. All winners will be announced at 3 p.m. The three categories include: Best Themed; Bartlett Heritage (such as trains, dairy, historical, Sister City Int., etc.); and Most Creative.

Deadline of Submission: No later than 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the park by AT&T.

Questions, Contact Rita Lopienski, president Arts in Bartlett, at (630) 956-8814, or rlopienski@sbcglobal.net