Ninth Annual Chicago Farmers Markets Reusable Bag Design Contest

Design Contest

COUNTRY Financial® and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events invite all Chicago high school students to participate in the ninth annual Chicago Farmers Markets Reusable Bag Design Contest.

The winning design will be revealed May 12, 2016 at Daley Plaza. Three finalists will be invited to the unveiling.

Prize The student with the winning design will receive a $1,000 scholarship. His/her design will also be displayed on thousands of reusable canvas bags distributed to shoppers this season at the Chicago Farmers Markets locations.

Two runners-up will each receive a $500 scholarship. Their designs will be showcased at the kick-off press conference. Themes Students’ designs should reflect this year’s theme: “Our farms, your tables.” Participants are asked to include imagery inspired by the spring/summer season and corresponding regional market goods, such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. We also ask students to illustrate the spirit of the city. All entries must include the phrase “2016 Chicago Farmers Markets.” Deadline All participants must submit their entries by Monday, April 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm CST to COUNTRY Financial Reusable Bag Contest, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, Illinois 60602.

Ask your principal or art teacher for more information or visit www.countryfarmersmarkets.com for a look at last year’s winner.

2015 winning designby Christopher Duran

2016 Chicago Farmers Markets Reusable Bag Design Contest

Contest InstructionsCOUNTRY Financial® and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events are excited to announce the ninth annual Chicago Farmers Markets Reusable Bag Design Contest. The theme for 2016 is “Our farms, your tables.”

COUNTRY Financial would like to invite all Chicago high school students to take part in this year’s contest. The student with the winning design will receive a $1,000 scholarship from COUNTRY Financial and have his/her artwork displayed on all reusable shopping bags distributed at Chicago Farmers Markets locations this season. The winning entry will be unveiled on May 12 at Daley Plaza. Two runners-up will each receive a $500 scholarship and have their designs displayed at the kick-off press conference. 1. All entries must be received no later than Monday, April 11, 2016 by 4:00 pm CST. All entries must include the phrase “2016 Chicago Farmers Markets” Students are asked to reflect this year’s theme, “Our farms, your tables.” Use the following guidelines when creating your artwork:

a. Use imagery inspired by the spring/summer season and the corresponding regional market goods, such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. b. Featuring non-local produce is discouraged, e.g. bananas, avocadoes, mangoes, etc. c. Illustrate the uniqueness and spirit of the city.

2. Computer-aided drawings will be accepted. However, the pictures used must belong to the student, not any other source. Entries must be on unlined, white paper and may be in any medium: oil, acrylic, watercolor, tempera, gouache, ink, pastel, crayon or colored pencil. Artwork drawn using #2 lead pencils as the primary medium will not be accepted. All entries should be 9” (width) by 11” (height), and must be mounted on cardstock or cardboard with adhesive spray, rubber cement or tape.

3. All entries must be accompanied by an Entry Identification Form, completely filled out and firmly attached to the back of the artwork. Entry forms can be photocopied and will be supplied to all principals, art teachers and students who demonstrate an interest in applying. Entry forms are also available to print at www.countryfarmersmarkets.com.

4. All entries become the property of COUNTRY Financial and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

5. Winners will be notified by Friday, April 22, 2016.

6. SUBMIT ENTRIES TO: COUNTRY Financial Reusable Bag Contest Chicago Cultural Center 78 E Washington St Chicago, Illinois 60602

Dear Principal or Art Teacher:

In partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, COUNTRY Financial® is excited to announce the ninth annual Chicago Farmers Markets Reusable Bag Design Contest. The competition presents an opportunity for students to showcase their talent on reusable shopping bags that will be distributed at the Chicago Farmers Markets locations throughout the season.

This year’s theme is “Our farms, your tables.” Students are asked to include imagery inspired by the spring/summer season and the corresponding regional market goods, such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. We also ask participants to illustrate the spirit of the city. Designs must include the words “2016 Chicago Farmers Markets.”

The reusable shopping bags are part of the Chicago Farmers Markets initiative to promote healthy, environmentally friendly communities. Thousands of farmers markets attendees will receive these custom designed tote bags this season, free of charge.

The student who submits the winning design will receive a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to have his/her artwork displayed on reusable shopping bags distributed throughout the city. Additionally, two runners-up will each receive a $500 scholarship. These designs will be unveiled on May 12 at Daley Plaza, and the three finalists will be invited to attend.

All entries must be received at the address below by Monday, April 11 at 4 p.m. CST. If the entry is being sent by mail, please allow sufficient time for delivery by due date. If received after the deadline, there is no guarantee the artwork will be eligible. Winners will be notified through their schools or via phone/email by Friday, April 22, 2016.

Submit Entries To:COUNTRY Financial Reusable Bag ContestChicago Cultural Center78 E Washington StChicago, Illinois 60602

Contest rules, entry forms and promotional flyers are attached. Please post and distribute these forms to your students. You can also visit www.countryfarmersmarkets.com for more details and to see the winning artwork from last year’s contest.

If additional information is needed, please contact Jamie Bird at (309) 821-5362 or jamie.bird@countryfinancial.com.

Sincerely,COUNTRY Financial and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2016 Chicago Farmers Markets Reusable Bag Design Contest

Entry Identification Form

Contestant Contact Information:Name ____________________________________________________________________________________Address __________________________________________________________________________________City _______________________________________________________ Zip __________________________Email _____________________________________ Phone _________________________________________School Name ______________________________________________________________________________Grade ____________________________________________________________________________________Age _________________________________________

I am available to attend the Bag Design Contest Unveiling Event on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at Daley Plaza _________YES _________NO

Art Teacher Contact Information (if applicable):Name ____________________________________________________________________________________Email _____________________________________ Phone _________________________________________

Title of Artwork Submitted _______________________________________________________________________________________Description of Artwork ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By entering, you represent that you have read and agree to the terms of the official rules.

If entrant is under 18, signature of parent or guardian is required. As the parent or legal guardian of the entrant, I consent to his/her entry into this promotion and have read and agree to the terms of the official rules.

____________________________________________________________Parent/Legal Guardian Signature

Submit Entries by 4 p.m. CST on April 11, 2016 to: COUNTRY Financial Reusable Bag ContestChicago Cultural Center78 E Washington StChicago, Illinois 60602

Visit www.countryfarmersmarkets.com for more details and to see the winning

artwork from last year’s contest.