Suffolk Sister Cities International is pleased to announce that the 35th Annual Suffolk Sister Cities Young Authors and Artists Showcase will be on display in the main gallery of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts on February 28 – March 22. An Awards Ceremony will be held at 6:30 – 8PM on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 and is free and open to the public.
Students from Suffolk Public Schools and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy have created 118 Art entries and 81 Authors entries. Artists compete in 5 categories: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Mixed Media and Digital Art. Authors compete in Essay and Poetry categories. This year there is a new category for Music with 3 entries. All entries interpret this year’s theme of “Peace by Piece: Food Security in My Community”. Works will be judged by experts in the related field. Winners in each category receive a $50 cash award.
Additionally, a ‘Best in Show’ for Art and for Authors is identified, with each receiving a $100 cash award. These winners are eligible to participate in the Sister Cities International Competition where they compete with entries from around the world and United States. There is a $1000 cash prize for winners of the international competition. Suffolk Sister Cities has had several International winners over the years, including last year’s Best in Show artist Rory Rockwood who earned a $1000 award for her Digital Art submission. Special thanks is owed to the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Suffolk Public Schools, Nansemond Suffolk Academy, and the many teachers, students, judges and volunteers who make this annual Showcase possible.
The Young Artists and Authors Competition is one of several youth programs sponsored by Suffolk Sister Cities International. In past years, the organization has sponsored student exchanges and attendance at the Sister Cities International Youth Leadership Summit. In 2022, students from Kings Fork High School’s International Baccalaureate Program created a Sister Cities Club. Members learn about world cultures and volunteer in the local community. They have created global friendships through various projects, including digital pen pal and environmental projects.
To learn more about Suffolk Sister Cities International and its programs please contact Commissioner Maryanne Persons at 757-539-7188 or visit www.suffolksistercitiesinternational.org.