Enter The Bethesda Magazine Short Story And Essay Contest

Some time ago we were delighted to announce that Rockville Central contributor Andrea Jarrell was a winner in the first ever Bethesda Magazine short story and essay contest. It looks like it went well for the magazine, as it is now an annual thing and they are mounting a similar contest this year!

There are two contests: a short story contest and an essay contest. All the details are here. Deadline is February 26.

Here’s the messzage from Susan Coll, the magazine’s fiction editor:

Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Urban Partnership are partnering to sponsor a short story and essay contest, and we are now accepting submissions.

This year the short story contest is open to residents of Montgomery County, Maryland, as well as portions of Northwest Washington, DC (ZIP codes 20015 and 20016). There is a separate category for high school students who live in this same region. Stories may not exceed 4,000 words, and should be sent as a Microsoft Word document to [email protected].

The essay contest is open to residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. The topic is “What is your approach to life? Reveal your personal philosophy.” Essays may not exceed 500 words, and should be sent as a Word document to [email protected].

Join The “Photo Op” for Rockville

Contributed by Judith Heartsong.

As a professional artist living in Rockville with a studio at VisArts in our wonderful town center, I keep my ear to the ground for great artistic opportunities and projects. Recently a wonderful project came to my attention from Art House Co-op (we build art projects and communities) called “A Million Little Pictures”. Art House is known for creating open call exhibits that are inclusive and community building, and this one is no exception.

“A Million Little Pictures” is a show that will document some aspect of people’s lives as they choose with a disposable camera provided by Art House with your paid registration fee. Twenty-four frames of film, developed into 4 x 6 pictures, and returned by the postmark deadline of September 1st. The exhibit will open in Atlanta on September 21st, and will then travel to the city with the most participants.

The exciting thing here is that you need not be a professional artist or photographer to participate and you choose what aspect of your life to document. I am choosing to document my daily life as a professional artist, living and working in Rockville. You can document your work, your favorite hobby, your pets, your garden, your antique car, your collection of teapots, your favorite vacation spot or coffee shop. The sky’s the limit and the possibilities are endless. It’s all up to you.

I have been encouraging the artists and staff of VisArts to participate, and then I thought about the fact that lots of people in Rockville might be interested as well. The pictures will tell the story you choose to tell, whether the story is about the weather or your favorite ice cream flavor. And once the show opens thousands of people will see your pictures. Doesn’t that sound intriguing? You know you want to join in…..

To get all the details visit Art House at http://www.arthousecoop.com/ and stop by VisArts, our wonderful 28,000 square foot art center right here in town center, to see what the artists are up to!

Judith has also written about the project on her an artsy blog.

Graphic from arthousecoop.com

Deadline Looms for Student Photographers

VisArt’s Digital Arts Director, Tim Hampton, reminds us that this Friday, January 9, 2009 is the deadline for VisArts’ annual student photography call for entries.

Middle and high school students who enter will have the opportunity to have their photos juried by Frank Goodyear, the Assistant Curator of Photography at the National Portrait Gallery. If selected, their work will be exhibited at VisArts during the upcoming How You See It exhibition.

Entering is completely free to middle- and high-school students. Simply send an e-mail to [email protected] with either one or two photos attached (they can be digitally altered or pure).

Include these 5 pieces of information:

1. Artist Name
2. Image Title(s)
3. Artist Age
4. Current School
5. Name(s) of the artist’s photography or art teachers.

The full details are available on the VisArts website.

As Tim points out, “Maybe some selected works will end up being submitted as candidates for your POTD.“

POTD: This Caption Deleted For Decency’s Sake

Special (and public!) recognition to the first reader who correctly emails me the caption I was going to write, but then thought better of.

In the email please, no comments! This is a family space.

Ooh, maybe I will throw in a Rockville Central magnet too, just as a sweetener.

Vote For Eric!

Rockville Central friend Eric Jensen, whose wonderful photography has graced many a POTD, passed along word that he has made the finals in the first-ever photography contest sponsored by Washingtonian Magazine.

His shot? A snap of Cub Scout Pack 928 atop an antique fire truck in Home Town Holidays.

The finalists are all here.

Now it’s up to us — Washingtonian is picking the winner based on votes. So, go on over to this link here, and vote for your favorite!

POTD: Red Barn

This rustic, rural looking barn is smack dab in the middle of a populous area of Rockville! You would hardly know it.

If you can guess where it is, post it in the comments. A Rockville Central magnet to the first comment poster to get it right. (Emails don’t count . . . you have to post a comment!)

Calling All Student Artists!

All students in grades K -12, either living or going to school in Rockville, can enter the Student Art Show and have their artwork displayed in a real gallery at the Glenview Mansion. All of these wonderful creations will be on exhibit March 2-28, 2008.

Although entering the Art Show does take some effort from parents, it is an excellent opportunity to highlight your child’s creative side. The kids really are amazed that something they made is on display at such a fancy place and that people are looking at it.

Believe me, after you mount or frame one of your child’s pieces for delivery, you will be impressed at how great it looks. Yes, there’s a correct way to mat a piece but don’t worry about it. Just have a big enough backing and cut a hole with about a 3 inch border on another piece. Then tape the artwork in. You need to fill out an Entry Form and tape it to the back, as well as put on some wire or string for hanging purposes. Also, bring along an extra copy of the Form. All types of artwork are welcome, including three dimensional (which you don’t have to mount but it must be suitable for public display).

All of the entries must be dropped off between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at the Glenview Mansion. Just bring it over and you are in!

On Sunday, March 2, 2008 there will be an opening reception from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM with an awards ceremony at 2 PM and musical entertainment at 2:15 PM.

All students receive a certificate for participating. Ribbons will be awarded by judges for the best artwork in grades 4 -12. This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring artists to show their stuff.

Having your child participate in the Art Show is a special way to make them feel that they have the ability to create something of value. That’s very important.

Think Fondly Of Your Garden And Scour Your Hard Drive

Rockville Central reader Kathleen Harris has passed along information about an interesting photography contest being run by Washington Gardener. She noticed a lot of photographs on our site and thought we might be interested. I also know there are a lot of gardeners among our readership, so it all works out well!

Here is the info:

Enter the Second Annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest and have a chance of getting your winning images published! Whether your take the photos in your own backyard, a nearby public garden, or while visiting friends and family in their local gardens, there are so many wonderful photographic opportunities to be found in our region. Let’s show off the best in DC-area gardening!

This year we have added a new entry category for a total of three classifications:

• Garden Views: Beautiful, dramatic, or unusual perspectives of a garden landscape, including wide shots showing the setting. Subject can be a private or public garden.
• Small Wonders: Tight close-up images or macro shots of a single flowers, plant parts, fruits, vegetables, etc. Subject can be photographed in a private or public garden.
• Garden Creatures: Images of insects, birds, frogs, domestic pets, etc. in a private or public garden setting.

This contest offers an opportunity for all levels of photographers to present their best shots of gardens in the greater Washington, DC area. Contest entries will be judged on technical quality, composition, originality, and artistic merit. More than $500 in prizes will be awarded!

For the full details and entry form, see this page (PDF).

Better hurry: You can only submit photos between January 1 and January 19, 2008.

Your Predictions for Election Day?

In the last couple of days, a few commenters and contributors have said who they plan to vote for, in the hopes of swaying a few more their way. I wholeheartedly approve — Rockville Central is a place for respectful sharing of opinions.

But, I have a new question, and a fun way for you to answer. It’s a contest!

Here is the question: Who do you predict will win in the City elections tomorrow?

Note that I asked who you predict, not who you want, to win.

Now, here’s the contest. If you wish to enter, it’s free. All you need to do is fax me your prediction to 240-597-5343 (no cover sheet needed) or email it by clicking this link by midnight EST tonight. If you fax, make sure I have a way to reach you.

Whoever is right first, or closest to being right first, will win a fabulous prize. I guarantee this prize will be priceless in value, and commensurate with the steep entry fee for this contest. Knowing me, it may be The West End swag. (Insert smiley here.)

[UPDATE: Don't worry, I will not publicize any predictions until Wednesday.]

Family members and Rockville Central contributors are welcome to enter too, but you can’t claim a prize other than bragging rights. [UPDATE: By "contributor," I mean people on the list on our masthead. Readers who have submitted "contributor opinions" are encouraged to enter and can win fabulous prizes.]

Get out your crystal ball and start prognosticating! You only have a few hours left to get me your predictions.

(I have turned off comments on this post so people don’t predict here. It’s a contest!)

(Image Skeptiseum.)