The Second Annual Crafty Mercantile/Opal Center Student Art Contest is now open for submissions. Student artists ages 5–18 who live in Cottage Grove or surrounding areas are invited to participate by creating and submitting original artwork.

There are four age categories, 5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-18. Prizes include art supplies, gift certificates, art classes and more.

You can use any medium, but pieces must be able to be hung or displayed on a table.

You can enter up to three pieces, but one is just fine as well.

Label your entry with your name, age and contact information, fill out the release form, and drop off pieces at The Crafty Mercantile, 517 East Main Street, Cottage Grove

The contest is open from March 2 – April 1, 2022.

Winners will be notified after April 4, 2022. Pieces will be displayed in the windows of The Crafty Mercantile and The Opal Center.

What are the judging criteria? Judges are looking for:

• innovative presentation

• unusual perspective or viewpoint

• a message or idea that is being conveyed

• skill with the medium appropriate to the age group (although sometimes the significance of the message is more important than the medium)

• colors coordinated or contrasted for emotional impact

• design elements that work together

All properly labeled entries will be judged by a panel of area artists.