New River Community College (NRCC) is hosting poet laureate and visual artist competitions for students this spring, along with 21 other Virginia Community College System (VCCS) institutions.
Supported by the VCCS Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Culture, the theme for the competitions is “I Belong.” The winner of the college poetry contest at each college will be considered for honors as the “Poet Laureate for Virginia’s Community Colleges.”
The art and poetry competitions are open to students who are enrolled at least part-time in adult education, workforce credential, certificate, or degree programs at NRCC and live in the NRCC service region. Dual enrollment or early college students under age 18 must secure parent or guardian permission to participate in the competitions. Students may enter original work for either or both competitions at NRCC and will need to complete an application.
Those applying for the college poet laureate must submit three original poems, including one tied to the theme, and be prepared to give a live performance of the theme-related poem. Students vying for the art Luminary award through the visual arts competition will submit one original piece. Works accepted for the visual arts competition are limited to drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
Dr. Tammy Parks, NRCC professor of art, is the college’s competition coordinator. Those who have questions about the contest may contact Parks at tparks@nr.edu.
For more information, visit https://www.vccs.edu/blog/poetry-and-arts-contests-launched-at-most-vccs-colleges/. Students can submit entries online at https://bit.ly/NRCCartscontest. The deadline for entry submissions is March 1.