Poetry, prose and visual art open for submission in Arts Unlimited program

A mix of adults and high schoolers won honors last year in the Arts Unlimited Art & Writing Contest, held in conjunction with the monthlong celebration in the six Northwest Suburban High School District 214 schools.

The top two prose writing awards went to a pair of Prospect Heights women who had joined a writing club, while the visual arts awards went to a trio of high school students, and teens picked up the poetry awards as well.

Organizers said the winners reflected interest in the arts from across the community, which is just what the contest aims to accomplish.

"We've always had strong entries from adults in the community, but I'm really proud of our local high school talent," says Jennifer Aguilar-Iannotti, Arts Unlimited district coordinator and an art teacher at Elk Grove High School.

This year's contest, sponsored by the Daily Herald, is seeking submissions. The deadline is Feb. 26.

The call for entries is open to residents living in District 214 attendance area, or roughly Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Elk Grove, Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling.

All participants must submit two copies of their work, with their name, address and telephone number printed on the back of one copy; and with only the title written on the other copy.

Each person may submit only one entry per category, Aguilar-Iannotti adds.

Prose entries are limited to 1,500 words and may be in fiction or nonfiction. Poetry entries are unlimited in length, and may be submitted in any style and in any subject.

Visual art may be submitted in 2-D media, color or grayscale media. Entries must be submitted as either a photograph or copy. Aguilar-Iannotti stresses that no originals should be submitted, since they will not be returned.

All entries are judged by writing and art professionals, including former teachers, community experts and members of the Daily Herald editorial staff.

Winners will be notified by March 19. Their work will be recognized at a districtwide reception on April 14 at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Arts Unlimited 2010</p>

<p class="News">• Entries due: Feb. 26 </p>

<p class="News">• Submit them to: Jennifer Aguilar-Iannotti, Arts Unlimited coordinator, Elk Grove High School, 500 W. Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007</p>

<p class="News">• More information: (847) 718-4424 or e-mail Jennifer.Aguila@D214.org.</p>