2012 Sidewalk Art Contest

The 4^th Annual Sidewalk Art Contest was held at county municipalities and youth serving agencies the week of July 9^th 2012. Children in age specific categories; 5-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-18, had the opportunity to draw a positive scene on a single sidewalk slab with chalk donated from Wal-Mart.

This year 909 youth county-wide participated hoping to reach the finals that were held Thursday July 19^th on the sidewalks that encompassed the Pratt at Munson-Williams-Proctor grounds in Utica. The finals competition had 110 youth compete. Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. presented medals to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place finishers in each age category. After the competition all 110 finalists were invited to take a “free” guided tour of Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute. The number of participants county-wide and the number of finalists has increased every year!

“This event, where you walk into with a smile on your face and walk away with an even bigger smile on your face, continues to grow,” Oneida County Youth Bureau Director Bob Roth said. “I’m always amazed at the children’s artistic abilities, their imagination and their creativity. It’s a fun event and a fantastic opportunity for our Oneida County youth to experience one of the crown jewels of Oneida County, Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute,” Roth added.

Please mark your calendars for the week of July 8^th-12^th 2013 and plan on your municipality or agency to participate in our 5^th Annual Sidewalk Art Contest. The finals will be held the following Thursday, July 18^th. The event is free and the Oneida County Youth Bureau will supply the chalk for your individual competition if needed.

The Oneida County Youth Bureau looks forward to having you participate and be a part of this popular, fun-filled initiative as WE WORK TOGETHER to provide our Oneida County youth with safe, positive and innovative programming.

The Youth Bureau would like to thank Wal-Mart who has donated the sidewalk chalk every year. Also, special thanks to our judges, Danelle DePeyster, Rochelle Ferro, Natalie Lanese and Emily Leo as well as Katie Weldon, who perfectly captured the finals competition through her wonderful photographs.

For more information on Sidewalk Art or any of our other initiatives please contact the Youth Bureau at 798-5027 or visit our website www.ocgov.net, select a department and click on the Youth Bureau.

2012 Sidewalk Art Champions:

5-7 Age Category Park/Agency

1^st Place: Matt French New Hartford

2^nd Place: Valerie Ford Deansboro

3^rd Place: Connor Clarke Our Lady of Lourdes Summer Program

8-10 Age Category

1^st Place: Erin Iles Deansboro

2^nd Place: Zach Gomol Genesee Street Children’s Center

3^rd Place: Fatima Maya Adrean Terrace

11-13 Age Category

1^st Place: DeBlay Chivala Adrean Terrace

2^nd Place: Kiara Bradford Genesee Street Children’s Center