Lincoln Bicentennial
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
The Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has launched a statewide envelope design contest with categories for kindergartners through adults. Winning designs will be featured on special limited-edition envelopes to be sold before and during February 2009.
The State Board of Education is a coordinating partner with the Commission by serving to enlist schools and students to participate in the envelope design contest. Contestants are not limited to students in Illinois schools, but anyone and everyone interested in participating in the Bicentennial art contest. Winners will be recognized in Springfield on February 12, 2009.
The U.S. Postal Service will offer a special Bicentennial cancellation on Lincoln’s 200th Birthday, February 12, 2009, at the Old State Capitol Historic Site in Springfield. Those who purchase the Bicentennial envelopes will have the opportunity to cancel them that day for a truly one-of-a-kind collectible. Funds raised from the sale of the envelopes will benefit the Tinsley Project, the effort to turn the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices building in downtown Springfield into a living history site, complete with Post Office identical to the one that operated in the building from 1841-1849. Next February, the U.S. Postal Service will also issue a block of four stamps to commemorate Lincoln’s 200th Birthday.
The top 200 envelope designs submitted will be used to create an exhibit entitled "Lincoln: As We Know Him" in the Old State Capitol during February and July 2009.
Those interested in submitting artwork for consideration should follow the rules and requirements below:
1. The categories for design entries include students in grades K – 7 and grades 8 – high school; college students and adult amateur artists; and adult professional artists. Please designate the category you are entering.
2. If the entrant is under age 18, the artist release must be submitted by parent, legal guardian or teacher.
3. Entrants must submit artwork that is proportionate to fit on a standard number 10 envelope with enough space left for address and postage.
4. The contest is open to Illinois residents only.
5. Entrants must submit the original, color artwork as a 300dpi or larger jpeg file to hpa.bicentennial@illinois.gov.
6. Entrants will be judged on their representation and interpretation of an image of Abraham Lincoln.
7. Entrants must supply the following information upon submission of artwork: Name, Address, Telephone Number, and E-mail Address.
8. Entries must be received on or before Saturday, November 1.
