The Lorain Public Library System (LPLS) is pleased to announce the second annual Toni Morrison Poster Contest and the addition of a Poetry Contest.
“We are one of the local entities that support the Community Foundation’s Toni Morrison Essay Contest and just wanted to expand on that to allow creativity from different mediums so that more youth could participate,” said Cheri Campbell, the LPLS librarian heading up the contest. “The more youth that we can introduce to Toni Morrison’s works to find their own voices and inspiration, the better.”
LPLS invites students of all ages to submit an entry into the poster contest based on one of two themes: “If you want to fly, you have to give up things that weigh you down” or “What’s the world for you if you can’t make it up the way you want it?”
Guidelines: Any physical medium can be used (pencil, crayon, watercolor, stencils, etc.) Digital media may be used as well.
Artwork must be horizontal, 18 inches wide by 12 tall or 11 inches wide by 8.5 tall on white posterboard or plain white drawing paper without lines. Over or undersized entries will not be considered.
The artwork must be original. No traced, trademarked or copyrighted characters or slogans.
Poster entries can be scanned to morrisonposter@lpls.info or dropped off at any of our branches, If scanning, please do so in .jpg with at least 300 dpi resolution. Provide name, address, telephone number and email with submission. All entrants who are 18 and under must also provide teacher, parent or caregiver names.
Deadline for submission to the poster contest is Jan. 27. Judging will take place the week of Feb. 5. All winners will be notified via phone or email. First place will win $75, second place will win $50 and third place will win $25.
The poetry contest has no specific theme, topic or form, but the work must be original. Poems will be judged in three categories: grades 6 to 8, grades 9 to 12 and Adult.
All poetry entries must be submitted to morrisonpoetry@lpls.info by Saturday, Jan. 14 to be considered. First place in each category will win $75, second place in each category will win $50 and third place in each category will win $25.
All prizes will be awarded at a reception at the Main Library on Toni Morrison Day, Feb. 18, 2023. Attendance is not mandatory to receive winnings.
All poets are welcome to perform their works during the Open Mic event on Feb. 1 at the Main Library.
For more information regarding either contest, please call the Main Library at 440-244-1192.