Extra Credit Opportunity! (due by Nov. 1st)

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.

This is NOT a political ad... it's an extra credit opportunity!

No, I'm not pushing my political views onto you... but artist Shepard Fairey is. He is using his artwork to help support a candidate that he believes in (and you thought artists just painted pretty pictures...).

Shepard Fairey is pretty well-known. In fact, I bet you've seen his work and never even knew his name! The artwork he is most known for is referred to as the "Obey Giant." But he's done some other artistic projects you might be familiar with as well - he designed the loading screen for Guitar Hero II, and the game menu of Tony Hawk's American Wasteland features some of his art as well.

So how does all of this equal extra credit for you? One of two options:
1. Find another artist creating political posters/artwork for either candidate, and tell me about it (web links would be nice - provide the address, please, so I can check it out).
2. Look up Shepard Fairey, and tell me about another one of his artworks (besides the Obama and Obey Giant pieces) that you enjoyed - and WHY.

Don't forget about the posting rules to the right! Thanks!

"F" Term Extra Credit

Last extra credit question for this school year...

What is the best art project you've ever done at school (at Sandburg or at elementary school) and WHY?

"E" term extra credit question.

How does ART affect your life?

(I mean art in the general sense - not specifically art class...)

Extra Credit "D" Term Art Question:

You know that feeling you get when you're making art and you get in "the zone" - when you're so engrossed in your work that you don't even notice other things going on around you?

Try to transport yourself (mentally) to that time, and try to describe what the environment is typically like. Is there music? If so, what kind? Any other noises or things going on, or do you prefer total silence? Are there other people around you, or do you need to be alone? What's the temperature like? Are you wearing shoes or comfy slippers - or even barefoot?!

(When posting, be sure to follow the rules located in the column on the right.)