In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center (BHC) has announced its collaboration with the West Plains Council on the Arts to host an art competition and show.
The event aims to encourage artistic expression surrounding mental health themes, with this year's theme being "Note to Self." Selected entries will be prominently displayed at the West Plains Civic Center from May 6 through 17.
This competition welcomes artists of all ages, offering five categories with prizes.
Adults 18 and older can enter for a chance to win prizes of $150 for first place, $100 for second place and $75 for third. High school students in grades nine through 12 will have the opportunity to win a first place prize of $100, second place prize of $75 and third place prize of $50.
Prizes for the middle school school category open to entrants in grades five through eighth, the category of elementary students in second through fourth grades, and for the category open to children in first grade and younger are $50 each for first place, $25 each for second place and $10 each for third place.
Additionally, there will be a Best in Show award of $200 and a $500 scholarship for the overall best high school entry.
All submissions must be received by April 19. Artwork can be created in any medium. Selected entries may be displayed at local libraries, online or at the Art Fair. A "Meet the Artist" event will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. May 17.
For additional information, rules and submission instructions, contact Lora Moulds at l.moulds@ozhcare.com.
