For the past week and a half, art classes have been working on their entries for the annual Cooperative Calendar of Student Art Contest. The Cooperative Calendar of Student Art Contest is sponsored by the Rural Electric Cooperative (REMC/REC) and Indiana Connection.

Art teacher Chris Jones’s students have participated in the competition for over 20 years now.

Students in his Drawing II, Drawing III, and AP courses are creating submissions for the 2022 calendar, having to follow only the one rule of illustrating the month that corresponds to their grade. For example, sophomores (10th graders) must draw or paint for October (the 10th month).

One winner will be selected for each month and an honorable mention will be featured as well in the calendar. Winning artists will receive a $200 prize and honorable mentions will receive $75. Students are eligible to receive an extra $100 if their entry is the one chosen to represent the ‘Best in Show’ category. 

Many PHS students have been selected in the past, with four or five winning overall and nine or ten earning honorable mentions.

Jones continues to have his students do this project because it helps the young artists to get exposure.

“I think this is a great way for our kids to get their work out there for lots of people to see,” said Jones.

Submissions must be made by March 19, though PHS art students are wrapping theirs up by January 20. Contest winners will be notified before the end of the school year.