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Call for student artists for art contest recognizing Black History Month

The art contest will kick off Black History Month in Boston.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Diversity, Arts and Culture, Boston Public Schools and media partner Boston25 announced an open call for student artists to submit artwork inspired by landmarks related to Black history in Boston, in honor of Black History Month this February.

The purpose of the art contest is to inspire Boston students to celebrate the city's Black history and envision themselves as future contributors, in the spirit of the many great Black historical figures that shaped the city we have today.

"Black history month marks a time to reflect and honor all those who came before us -- all those who worked to better the lives their community, and their city, and lifted up the Black community in Boston and across the nation," said Mayor Walsh. "This art contest is a way for our students to engage with the influential Black role models and places that are part of Boston's past, present and future, and encourage students to join the work to create a brighter future for all."

As part of the contest, students will be asked to visit one or more sites related to Boston's Black History and submit artwork inspired by or related to the place they visited, as well as a photo of themselves visiting their selected site. Submissions will be accepted in the following categories: music, performing arts (including dance, short play, comedy, etc), and spoken word poetry.

The contest is open to all students of public, private, charter or home school programs residing in the City of Boston and currently enrolled in grades six through 12. Students are invited to participate as individuals, or in teams. The online portal for digital submissions opens on Thursday, February 1 and will remain open until Friday, February 16. Students interested in submitting their work are encouraged to visit here.

A full list of locations is included below:

  1. 12th Baptist Church (50 Warren St., Roxbury)

  2. A. Philip Randolph Statue(Back Bay MBTA Station, 45 Dartmouth St., Back Bay)

  3. Bill Russell Statue (City Hall Plaza)

  4. Black Heritage Trail (includes 14 sites in the Beacon Hill neighborhood)

  5. Bruce C. Bolling Building (2300 Washington St., Roxbury)

  6. Donna Summer childhood home (16 Parker Hill Ave., Mission Hill, not open to the public)

  7. Haley House (2302 Washington St., Roxbury)

  8. Harriet Tubman Memorial (Harriet Tubman Park, Pembroke St. and Columbus Ave., South End)

  9. Henry Hampton Home (88 Lambert St., Roxbury, not open to the public)

  10. Malcolm X. House (72 Dale St., Roxbury, not open to the public)

  11. National Center of Afro-American Artists (300 Walnut Ave., Roxbury, free of charge for contest participants)

  12. Phillis Wheatley statue at the Boston Women's Memorial (Commonwealth Avenue Mall)

  13. South End Technology Center @ Tent City (359 Columbus Ave., South End)

  14. William Monroe Trotter House (97 Sawyer Ave., Dorchester, not open to the public)

All submissions will be reviewed, and a selection of six winners will be made in late February.

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