Virginia Aviation Art Contest
Theme: Aviation in Virginia
Wherever you live in the Commonwealth of Virginia, aviation has an impact upon your life. Of course there are commercial service airports where you can board an airliner and begin a trip across the state or across the world. On any given day, you may see a news helicopter flying overhead during rush hour or a crop-dusting aircraft flying over a farmer’s field.
Keep your eyes on the skies, however, and you may see many more important missions that aviation has in the Commonwealth. Business in Virginia depends on aircraft. Companies use aircraft to transport their employees and to conduct business. When you see a package service advertisement on television, think about how those packages actually get from California to Virginia overnight – of course, it’s by air. Aircraft are used in Virginia for search and rescue and for medical evacuations - helicopters can land in very tight areas, even on an interstate highway, to quickly transport accident victims to the hospital. The Virginia State Police, as well as local police departments and other state agencies, operate aircraft for a variety of missions.
Citizens of Virginia use general aviation aircraft (“general aviation” is that part of aviation that is not airline or military) to transport themselves and their families for business and for pleasure. In fact certain locations, such as Tangier Island, located in the Chesapeake Bay, are only accessible by boat or by general aviation aircraft.
You may also see jet fighters or large transport aircraft in military colors flying over as they conduct training missions. Many of these aircraft fly out of military bases located in the Commonwealth.
If you’re very observant you may also have noticed different types of recreational aircraft flying in the Commonwealth. Have you ever awakened early on a Saturday or Sunday morning and looked outside to see a hot air balloon gliding across the horizon in the distance – because they’re so quiet, you probably won’t hear them at all. The same goes for sailplanes which glide through the sky but hardly make a sound. In addition there are a variety of ultralights and light sport aircraft that are flown for recreational purposes. These aircraft represent a great way to get started in aviation.
Young people who initially learn to fly in sailplanes or small general aviation aircraft may be the airline captains of tomorrow… Think about it and illustrate your own view of “Aviation in Virginia.”
Contest Deadline
Entries must be postmarked by Friday, January 18, 2008. Mail entries to: Aviation Art Contest, Virginia Department of Aviation, 5702 Gulfstream Road, Richmond, Virginia 23250-2422.
Contest Theme
The theme of the contest is “Aviation in Virginia.” Artwork will be judged, at least in part, for its creative use of this year’s theme.
Eligibility
All children in the listed age groups, who live and/or attend school in the Commonwealth of Virginia are encouraged to participate in the contest.
Age Groups:
Group 1: ages 6 to 9
Group 2: ages 10 to 13
Group 3: ages 14 to 17
Awards
Entries in each age group will be judged and first, second, and third place winners will be selected. Winners will receive an Award Certificate and a gift. First place winners will receive an Apple IPOD, Second place winners will receive a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Third place winners will receive a copy of “Virginia Airports: A Historical Survey of Airports and Aviation from the Earliest Days.”
Winning artwork will also be displayed on the Virginia Department of Aviation’s website.
Format
The required format is A3 or 11 x 17 inches. Artwork must NOT be framed or outlined with borders.
Medium
All artwork must be done by hand (or in the case of handicapped children, by foot or mouth).
The following are permitted:
Watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, indelible marker pens, felt tip pens, soft ball-point pens, indelible ink, Crayola, or any similar indelible medium.
The following are not permitted:
No pencil, charcoal or other non-permanent medium may be used; no computer-generated artwork is permitted; no collage work involving the use of photocopies is permitted.
Markings
The following information should be clearly displayed on the back of the art: title, first and last name, address, date of birth, country of residence, name and address of school which child attends, certificate of authenticity.
Reproduction Rights
Once received, entries become and remain the property of the Virginia Department of Aviation and may be used for a variety of purposes.
Sponsor
The 2008 Virginia Aviation Art Contest is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Aviation.
Virginia Aviation Art Contest Brochure (pdf)
Note: The International Aviation Art Contest will return in 2009.
Previous Winners of the International Aviation Art Contest
2008 Virginia Aviation Art Contest Winners
2007 Virginia Aviation Art Contest Winners
2006 Virginia Aviation Art Contest Winners
