The Pullman League of Women Voters is holding its fourth annual Visual Arts Competition, with submissions accepted until March 31.
Carolyn Joswig-Jones, Pullman League of Women Voters Visual Arts Competition Committee chair, said the competition is geared towards 3rd-12th graders in Whitman County.
“We have a theme and students are encouraged to create artwork that reflects their thoughts and ideas in relation to the theme,” Joswig-Jones said.
The theme this year is “Native America and the USA.” Support for the competition comes from the League’s education fund, Neill Public Library, Whitman County Library, the Tribal Consultation Program in the Office of Native Education and the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, she said.
“We don’t sponsor with anybody else, but the library systems support us a lot. They help publicize and provide space for our program. The Whitman County Library helps us out by sending our flyers to all the branch libraries in Whitman County,” she said. “This year, because of our theme, the Tribal Consultation Program has been a tremendous help.”
Joswig-Jones said she hopes this competition makes it clear to students that Native nations are still active and not just a part of history.
“You must talk about some of the history, but we wanted to bring it to the present,” she said. “Native people have held strong to their culture and have come a long way in developing stronger relationships with the U.S.”
The reason for the theme is the committee thought apologies and land acknowledgments were not enough, Joswig-Jones said. They felt they needed to focus on education and focus on policies that support Native sovereignty, economic opportunity and cultural preservation.
The first time the contest was held, the theme was, “What Does Democracy Look Like to You?” which received 12 entries, she said. Last year, the number jumped to 53 entries. Each year, she has been surprised by the creativity of the students who enter.
Students can enter online but must drop off their artwork at either the Neill Public Library in Pullman, Whitman County Library in Colfax or send it by mail to the League by the contest’s deadline, Joswig-Jones said.
“Students don’t have to be artists; they just need to create something that portrays what they’ve learned from this year’s theme,” Joswig-Jones said. “I think most of the students that are entering understand or are realizing democracy is important. Every voice matters. Their voice matters even though they can’t vote yet.”
Joswig-Jones said the main idea students take away from this contest is, by using some form of visual arts, they can express what they have learned, their thoughts and their ideas in relationship to the theme. She also hopes students learn something about the resilience of Native American nations and their current relationships with the United States government.
“Even if they’re not winners, students put a lot of thought into their artwork. Those thoughts will be with them for a long time,” she said. “We want students to come away with the understanding that sovereign nations have government-to-government relationships. Federally Recognized Tribes are sovereign nations.”
The Centennial Accord is an agreement between WA State and 29 Federally Recognized Tribes to achieve mutual goals through improved relationships, equality and respect. Now every state agency has a tribal liaison to consult with to implement policies together, which is to be celebrated.
“Bringing it full circle, civics education is essential for informed voting,” Joswig-Jones said.
The League of Women Voters has volunteers ready to give presentations related to the theme. More information can be found on the League website.
The final awards ceremony will be held at Neil’s Public Library, she said. The artwork will be displayed there from April 7 until the reception on April 19.
