The mission of Bridge of Grace is to help inspire and encourage young people to create artwork and to write stories and poetry to be published and shared with our senior citizens in the community, many of whom battle loneliness and illness. It is our mission to promote the arts to children, to create a bridge between youth and the elderly, to bring much-needed joy to seniors and to honor God with our efforts.

We are hosting an art and writing contest which will include artwork, fiction, and poetry, the best of which will be selected for publication. The publication will be a 4-color book titled, “Bridge of Grace: Sharing Art From the Heart." The books will be available for sale and used for the purpose of reading to and interacting with seniors as well as providing companionship. The art and writing contest will be open to all young people within the grade ranges stipulated with no other restrictions and will include students in schools as well as children being home-schooled.

Bridge of Grace Art Contest: February 1, 2024 – May 31, 2024

Grade 6-8: Illustrations, Digital Art

Grade 9-12: Illustrations, Digital Art

Bridge of Grace Writing Contest: February 1, 2024 – May 31, 2024

Grade 6-8: Fiction, Poetry, Illustrations (1500-word limit)

Grade 9-12: Fiction, Poetry, Illustrations (2500-word limit)

The contest will be open topic but stories, poetry and artwork must include a connection in some way to senior citizens. This may include grandparents, friends, neighbors or others up to several degrees removed. The entries will be shared with seniors and the topic must be in some way related. This may include material based on not having had a life relationship with grandparents or other seniors and/or a desire to have one.

Artwork may be submitted in either digital format or hardcopy. Hardcopy submissions may be converted for digital use and returned to the entrant.

Fiction entries should be short stories within the pre-set word limits. These entries may include an illustration with a connection to the story; however, each story and illustration will be judged on its own merit and either or both are eligible to be selected.

Poetry entries may be in rhyme, free verse, blank verse, limerick, or cinquain. Each poem must be original and cannot include borrowed language. Borrowed language will be grounds for disqualification.

Illustrations may also be submitted by the writer or another artist and can be connected to the story or represent the story. Each submission will be judged individually and on its own merit.

All creative entries will be judged by teachers, authors, editors and qualified volunteers. Entries will be judged anonymously. Judges will not have access to student names or schools.

For fiction and poetry, the following criteria will be considered in the judging process:

1. Storytelling - capturing the reader
2. Content – depth of thought and connection to subject matter
3. Originality – creative treatment of material
4. Style – unique and effective communication
5. Mechanics – grammar, punctuation, capitalization

For art, the following criteria will be considered in the judging process:

     1. Creativity and originality

     2. Quality – composition, design elements and color – how well do they work together?

     3. Clarity of theme (Celebrating youth and seniors)

     4. Overall artistic impression

• Entrants must fall within the given grade ranges.
• Children of contest judges and Bridge of Grace employees are not eligible.
• Only one written entry per person will be accepted. (Artwork is considered separate from fiction and poetry so an individual can submit both written word and artistic work).
• An artist may submit artwork that is connected to or represents a story written by someone other than themselves.
• Students may receive guidance from parents, teachers, or peers.
• Entries are fictional and not factual. The contest is not open to nonfiction.
• Work must be submitted no later than May 31, 2024.
• Bridge of Grace is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, misdirected, damaged, incomplete or illegible entries.

• Each entry must be submitted with the required signature of a parent/guardian or a sponsoring teacher, confirming that the work is original and granting rights to the entry materials.
• Stories, poems and artwork should be uploaded digitally, although hardcopy work will be accepted and converted. Please follow directions for submitting entries at www.bridgeofgrace.net. (Hardship with digital submission will be considered upon request and assistance may be offered).

• Entries should include a title page that lists the title of the story, poem or artwork and the full name of the author or artist.
• All stories, poetry and artwork must be original. Copyrighted names and images are not allowed.
• All entries must be new creations by entrant.

Submission of an entry to the Bridge of Grace contest constitutes permission for Bridge of Grace to use the entrant’s name, likeness, photographs, biographical information, data or material contained in the entry and any statements or comments about the contest as promotion without compensation except where prohibited by law. Upon request, no personal or biographical information will be published. All entries, and any copyrights therein, are subject to copyright law. By entering, each entrant agrees to abide by contest rules, and warrants that the entry is their original work and does not infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party; and grant to Bridge of Grace the right to edit, publish, promote, and otherwise use their entry materials without permission, notice or compensation. No royalties will be paid unless predetermined. By submitting an entry, each participant (and/or parent or guardian) assigns all right, title and interest in the entry to Bridge of Grace and warrants that the participant (and/or parent or guardian) has the authority to assign such right, title, and interest. By submitting an entry, each entrant (and/or parent or guardian) agrees to be bound by the contest rules. Each participant (and/or parent or guardian) agrees to release and hold harmless Bridge of Grace and its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives or other affiliated companies from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in the contest or resulting from acceptance or claims of any associated prize. Bridge of Grace reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel the contest at any time. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the prize recipient. Bridge of Grace is not responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with participation in the contest.