Art Contest

The exhibition is open to all students who are CURRENTLY enrolled at WKCTC during the 2024-2025 academic school year.  Dual credit students are also encouraged to participate. All submissions must be ready to  exhibit. Students may enter up to three pieces for exhibition/competition.  If a student submits more than three pieces, the first three that were submitted will be considered for exhibition/competition.  First place will receive a $100 prize and two honorable mentions will receive a $50 prize.  

The following media will be accepted:  painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, metals, multimedia and digital design, and video (must be less than 5 minutes in length).  Artwork over 60” X 60” cannot be accommodated, and if there are large 3D pieces, please contact Kim Russell to see if those can be accommodated.  

Your art should take inspiration from the memoire A Pearl in the Storm by Tori Murden McClure.

Information about A Pearl in the Storm (from Bookbrowse.com):

In June 1998, Tori McClure set out to row across the Atlantic Ocean by herself in a twenty-three-foot plywood boat with no motor or sail. It was a journey that affected her life in unexpected ways for years to come.

"In the end," writes Tori McClure, "I know I rowed across the Atlantic to find my heart, but in the beginning, I wasn't aware that it was missing."

During June 1998, Tori McClure set out to row across the Atlantic Ocean by herself in a twenty-three-foot plywood boat with no motor or sail. Within days she lost all communication with shore, but nevertheless she decided to keep going. Not only did she lose the sound of a friendly voice, she lost updates on the location of the Gulf Stream and on the weather. Unfortunately for Tori, 1998 is still on record as the worst hurricane season in the North Atlantic. In deep solitude and perilous conditions, she was nonetheless determined to prove what one person with a mission can do. When she was finally brought to her knees by a series of violent storms that nearly killed her, she had to signal for help and go home in what felt like complete disgrace.

In this thrilling true story of high adventure and romantic quest, Tori McClure discovers through her favorite way—the hard way—that the most important thing in life is not to prove you are superhuman but to fully to embrace your own humanity.

Your work can depict scenes from the book or can be inspired by themes that are present in the book.  You may also explore the theme of the “joy and power of reading” in general.  

Themes:   Humility, tenacity, courage, isolation,  knowledge, pain, anger, despair, and hope, self-discovery, embracing vulnerability, and the importance of humanity.

Note: You can find numerous Youtube videos about Tori’s experiences and her journey and even watch footage that she filmed during her time on the Atlantic.  There are many images available online of Tori, her boat, and her other experiences.  You can also check out the book from Matheson Library.

Original artwork accepted for exhibition must be delivered by hand no later than February 28, 2025, by noon and picked up no later than March 24,2025 by 4 PM, following the conclusion of the exhibition. No work that has been accepted as part of the exhibition will be permitted to be withdrawn before the close of the exhibition. Artwork will not be released to any person other than the artist without written authorization from the artist to WKCTC.

Artwork should be thematically related to the One Book Read selection for 2024-2025, A Pearl in the Storm by Tori Murden McClure.  Because they will be exhibited in a public space, and minors will be in attendance for the reception and exhibition, WKCTC reserves the right to exclude any entries that could potentially violate the student Code of Conduct.  Please be mindful of the audience when choosing submissions.   

• WKCTC will display the artwork listed by the Lender on a loaned basis for the purpose of public exhibition. Artwork may not be withdrawn before the closing date of the exhibition for any reason without written consent of the Lender and PSAD. 
• The Lender certifies that the artwork is ready to be hung or installed. Please complete the Submission Form and attach the appropriate label to each work to be displayed. Sawtooth hangers are not allowed.
• The Lender agrees to allow WKCTC to photograph the loaned artwork for the purposes of research, documentation, publication, education, and/or publicity. 
• WKCTC will not take a commission on sales of student work. If the work is not for sale, please list as NFS and include an insurance value.
• All artworks in the possession of WKCTC will be covered by insurance. Include the required information on the entry forms posted on the One Book Read website.   This must be posted by February 14, 2025, to be considered for the exhibition and contest.