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K – 12 Art and Writing Contest – RECEIVED by May 24

What the World Needs Now . . .

The Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) is seeking innovative thought, provocative art, and “out of the box” answers that respond to the question, What does the world need now?

Maybe you’ve imagined a simple act that can make a difference or even a global plan that requires the entire planet to participate.  Perhaps you have an outlandish invention you and your friends have been talking about.  We want to see your thoughtful ideas come to life through art!

A jury will award prizes to entries that display extreme creativity, clarity of thought, and excellence in visual and written presentation. You could see your work on the cover of a magazine or win a cash prize or scholarship.

All entires will be exhibited and YOU will be our honored guest at the Opening Night Gala at MOCHA on June 5, 2010.  Bring your family and friends and enjoy an evening of great art, food, fun projects and entertainment. Selected entries will be on display at MOCHA from June 6 – July 15 and will travel to subsequent exhibits at regional and global venues.

Competition Guidelines

Build and idea

*Focus on one topic. (Example:  animal extinction, hunger, homelessness, global warming, etc . . .) Research the cause of the problem & the way adults have tried to solve it.

*Brainstorm your own solution. Be imaginative, thoughtful or even silly. Believe that anything is possible!

Make Something

*Art may be of any media, including photography and digital art.  Crayons and paint are great, too!

*Three-dimensional art can be no larger than a 2″ cube.

*No electrical components will be allowed.

*Art must be original work not previously exhibited.

Write About it.

*Write about your solution for a better world in an artist statement of 200 words or less.  (typed or handwritten)

*Tell us:  What does the world need now?

*Describe your solution and any details that will enhance our understanding of your artwork.

Submission of Entries

*All Artwork must be accompanied by a written artist statement and an entry form, securely attached.

*Entries must be mailed or delivered to:  MOCHA, 538 9th St., Suite 210, Oakland, CA  94607.  Drop off hours are 10 am – 4 pm.

*ART MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN MAY 10  MAY 24.

For more information see www.mocha.org

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Wondering Wednesday

Do you worry about your writing?  The more we worry about a story or character, the easier it is to accidentally stop our creativity.  Instead of worrying about our writing, wonder about our plot, characters and word choices.

Think about your writing in the off-the-wall moments of your life.  Wonder about writing while you’re walking the dog, washing the dishes, and riding in the car.   Your best ideas will grab you at these times.  Wonder about your writing as you wake up from sleep.  You are relaxed and in your most imaginative frame of mind.

Writing Prompts

1.  Write a journal entry from a character in a story you are writing.  Or write a journal entry from a character you’ve read and enjoyed in another book.

2.  Try a form of writing you’ve never attempted before.   Yearn to haiku?  Going on a trip?  Create a travel piece.  Ever write a movie review?  It’s good practice to learn various types of writing.  You’ll discover ways to stretch yourself and might find a genre where you shine.

3.   Keep a wondering idea notebook for your wonderings.   Highlight your favorites and keep them handy when you are looking for an idea.

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Writing Contest Age 13 and Up – Quiet Moments

 

To enter:

  • Describe a special quiet moment and email it to [email protected] by May 15, 2010.
  • You can send us a drawing as an attached file as well, if you like, but please try to keep it under 40K.
  • If you’re affiliated with a bookstore, school, or library, be sure to let us know which one!
  • NOTE: You must be 13 or older to enter this drawing.

Here are some of your quiet moments:

“Walking to the beach in the early morning quiet.”—Beth, librarian, Norwich Public Library

“Before the public library first opens its doors in the morning.”—Susan, librarian, Dearborn Dept. of Libraries

“Skiing down an empty slope on a cold winter morning quiet.”—Sarah, reader

“Snow falling in the woods quiet.”—Vicki, librarian, Stark County District Library

“The moment between the asking and the YES.”—Wanda, Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance

“Smelling my baby’s head quiet.”—Amy, librarian, Doyle Library

“Staring at the stars quiet.”—Nancy, bookseller, Unabridged Bookstore

“Power outage quiet.”—Jane, reader

“Watching the bookseller unlock the front door quiet.”—Carol, bookseller, Eight Cousins

“After the birthday party quiet.”—Joanna, reader

“First sip of tea quiet.”—Paula, bookseller, Covered Treasures Bookstore

http://www.hmhbooks.com/quietmoments/

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Funny Friday

What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?  Have anything embarrassing happen that later you realized was hysterical?  Tell a story to friends and you’re surprised when they laugh? 

1.  Brainstorm your funny memories.   To help you remember, go through photo albums, your diary or journal, or talk to friends and family. 

2.  Once you have your idea, write what happened just like you’d tell it to a friend.  Start at the beginning and write chronologically.  First this . . . then that. 

3.  Is there any way you can make this even MORE funny than it already is?  exaggerate it ?  Add emotion and tension?  Place your embarrassing moment in front of a crowd of people?  A time that puts more pressure on you?  (Before a big exam, on stage, in front of an important person, etc.)

4.  Slow-down-the-moment at the funniest time/most important challenging event.  Use your senses to make the reader feel we are there.   Put your thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions in the piece. 

5.  Read your story out loud.  Does the timing feel right?  Check your word choices.  Does each word work?  Each word belong there?

6.  Polish your piece until you’ve got your comedy rhythm right!

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What If . . .

What if you lived in the White House . . .

1. as a child . . . what adventure would you have?

2.  as a pet . . .

3.  as the first women president . . .

4. as the first husband . . .

Write a short story with a beginning, middle and end about a day in the life as YOU.

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California Writers Club Young Writers Contest

This week everyone who entered the contest should receive something from the California Writers Club.  All the letters and honorable mentions have been mailed.  The students who have placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd will receive their honorable mentions (if they received any in addition to their main award) at the banquet.

If you don’t get anything in the mail this week from us, it means that your address was misread and typed incorrectly.  Some of your printing is less desirable than your creative writing talent.

I called one child’s home and discovered the father printed his child’s form. 

“Do you happen to be an engineer?” I asked him. 

“Yes, why?” he asked.

I sighed.  “Because my husband is an engineer and no one can read his printing either.” 

So if the letter comes back to us in our  California Writers Club box, then I’ll call or email you to learn the correct address. 

But otherwise, you should hear this week.

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Got a Yen to Haiku?

Pen a haiku to the pet peeve of your choice.  Send it – – three lines in a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, extra points for wit – – to [email protected] by noon May 31.

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Good Book List Here

http://www.guysread.com/

Scroll down a bit on this site and you’ll find some good books.  Enjoy!

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