For Immediate Release

Maryland Courts Ask Students to Help Promote Peace
Through Artwork

Art Contest Focuses on Resolving Conflicts

(ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – September 12, 2017) The Maryland Judiciary is asking young artists to use their crayons, colored pencils, and creativity to help promote peacemaking during the 12th annual Conflict Resolution Day Student Bookmark Art Contest.  The contest for Maryland students in grades K-8 helps celebrate national Conflict Resolution Day, which is Thursday, October 19, 2017.

“We are inviting Maryland’s students to explore a variety of ways to resolve conflicts peacefully and to communicate their ideas through their art,” said Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals.  “Their artwork provides an opportunity to encourage peer-to-peer conversations about peacemaking and non-violent resolution of disagreements.”

The contest, sponsored by the Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO), has become increasingly popular since it began in 2005.  Last year, more than 2,100 students from across Maryland participated in the contest, with 15 bookmarks chosen as winners and 64 as honorable mentions.

Students are invited to create bookmarks based on the theme of resolving or preventing conflict.  Topics include peer mediation, talking things out, apologizing, respecting differences, solving problems together, listening, tolerance, building peace, and alternatives to violence.

Submissions will be judged on creativity and message.  Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in three age groups: grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.  For each age group, the prize awards will be $75 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place.  A selection of the winning entries will be printed as bookmarks that will be distributed throughout Maryland to promote conflict resolution.

Students whose entries are awarded prizes will be invited with their families to a ceremony and reception in their honor at the Judicial College Education and Conference Center in Annapolis on Tuesday, December 5.  Chief Judge Barbera will meet the students and their families and present the awards.  The best 1,000 entries will be displayed in the conference center in December, and some submissions may appear in other Judiciary documents.

Submissions are due by Thursday, October 19, which is Conflict Resolution Day.  MACRO’s website has more information, including a template that may be used for original artwork submissions.  Any other paper format may also be used.  The finished image size must be no larger than 3 inches high by 9 inches wide.  Student artwork must be labeled, either on the back of the entry or on the label provided in the template, with the following information:

• Student’s name, age, and grade
• School or program name, if applicable
• Teacher’s or parent’s name and email address
• Address where artwork can be returned after the contest

Participants are asked not to fold entries.  Please mail or deliver entries by October 19 to Alecia Parker, MACRO, 2001 Commerce Park Drive, Suite C, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

For more information about the Conflict Resolution Day Student Bookmark Art Contest, visit the website or contact Alecia Parker, 410-260-3540, or [email protected].

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