The Thermal Belt Friendship Council (TBFC) is currently accepting entries for its 2015 Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Creative Arts Competition. Intended to inspire students to contemplate the issues of diversity and social justice in their community, the entries are judged for craftsmanship as well as content. On Saturday, Jan. 17, cash prizes will be awarded in both the essay and visual arts categories at the 2015 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, which is presented by the Thermal Belt Friendship Council with the generous support of a Free Community Event grant from the Polk County Community Foundation at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Winning entries will be displayed during the reception at the event.

All middle school students residing in Polk County and Landrum are welcome to apply. Entries may be made to one of two categories: essay or visual art. In keeping with the mission to bridge the racial gap and promote community, the competition will be judged according to the following guidelines:

Essay guidelines:
How does Dr. King’s life and philosophy about civil rights empower our community today?

Essay must be 3-5 typed pages, double-spaced, not to exceed 1,500 words, Times New Roman, 12 point. All references and materials from other sources should be cited. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria: content/subject matter as it relates to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; originality/creativity; subject matter; development of the theme; organization; mechanics (grammar, punctuation, and spelling).

Art guidelines:
Create an original piece of art that depicts how Dr. King’s life and philosophy about civil rights empowers our community today. Artwork should not exceed 22 X 28 inches. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria: originality/creativity; subject matter; development of the theme; technique.

Polk County Middle School students can get information on how to apply for the MLK Creative Arts Competition from the principal’s office. Landrum Middle School students can get information on how to apply for the MLK Creative Arts Competition from LMS art teacher Amy Roote. Home-schooled students may contact TBFC Secretary, Robin Edgar, at 2robinedgar@gmail.com. All entries need to be turned in by Friday, Jan. 9, 2015.

The council will also award its annual MLK Scholarship to a graduating high school senior at the MLK event. The evening program will also feature Mr. Willie Ratchford, the executive director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee; entertainment by local musicians, Bryant Belin and Beth Thomas; and light refreshments catered by Impeccable Taste.

There is no fee to belong to the Friendship Council and new members are always welcome. Monthly meetings are open to the public and are held on the second Tuesday at Roseland Community Center in Tryon on the corner of East Howard and Peake Street. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13. Other upcoming events include monthly lunch gatherings at local eateries and a free annual potluck picnic on Saturday, June 6 at Harmon Field.

For more information about the Thermal Belt Friendship Council, go to http://friendshipcouncil.homestead.com. To contribute to the MLK Scholarship Fund or Creative Arts Competition awards, contact Donna Tatnall, dtatnall@yahoo.com or mail tax-deductible donation checks to Thermal Belt Friendship Council, PO Box 414, Lynn, NC 28750. (Specify in the memo line whether the gift is for the MLK Scholarship, Art Competition or unrestricted.)
-Submitted by Robin Edgar