FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A13 Solarpunk Art Contest: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Creativity
Hamilton, April 21, 2024 – Action 13 is proud to announce the launch of the “Solarpunk Art Contest, an initiative designed to empower the youth of Hamilton to reimagine their city as a beacon of sustainability and innovation.
For this first ever solarpunk art contest, participants will have the chance to show, – in drawings, paintings, digital, or other visual media – how one of 13 pre-selected sites in Greater Hamilton could look in a solarpunk future.
Solarpunk is a sci-fi art genre that envisions a sustainable future in which people and nature thrive alongside one another, incorporating biodiversity, urban design, inclusive local communities, and technology.
What makes solarpunk unique is that most of the knowledge and technology to create these futures already exist today. What’s missing is the vision.
Hamilton youth are invited to envision possible transformations of a Hamilton location be ecologically sustainable and imaginatively integrated with nature.
We’re asking Hamilton artists of all skill levels between the ages 15 and 30 years old to share visions of the future they would like to live in. Artists retain ownership of their work. Deadline for submission is June 30th.
This is Action 13’s first year hosting this contest. We’re looking forward to seeing how this goes!
2024 Solarpunk Reinvisioning Sites
1. Kerr Street Green Block (Dundas)
2. City Centre Mall
3. Limeridge Mall
4. Subdivision (Waterdown)
5. Foundry/McMurray Parking Lot, Dundas
6. Ancaster Meadowlands
7. Gore Park
8. The Centre on Barton
9. Gage Park
10. Lake Avenue Parking Lot (Stoney Creek)
11. Jackson Square Rooftop
12. The Cotton Factory
13. Barton Village
Eligibility
- Open to current young residents of Hamilton.
- Age range: 15 to 30 years old.
Theme
“Solarpunk Vision of Hamilton” – Envisioning a future where Hamilton transforms into an ecologically sustainable and nature-integrated city.
Art Medium
- Accepting visual art submissions: digital art, traditional paintings/drawings, collage, mixed media, and murals.
Submission Guidelines
- Open to individuals and collaborative projects.
- 13 locations around Hamilton have been pre-selected as the canvas on which to project your creativity.
- The selected site/landmark must be recognizable within the submitted piece of art.
- Artwork must be original and unpublished.
- Submissions must reflect the solarpunk aesthetic: renewable energy, green spaces, community, sustainable design, and regenerative practices.
- No AI-Generated content will be accepted
Submission Deadline
June 30, 2024.
Prizes
The artwork will be displayed in a major public space within the City of Hamilton (To be determined).
Judging Criteria
Creativity, originality, alignment with the solarpunk theme, and overall impact.
How to Submit
Email: a13solarpunks@proton.me with full name, age, contact info, 300-word artist statement, and artwork file (PNG, GIF, JPG, or a ZIP folder for larger files)
Exhibition and Awards Ceremony
Details to be announced.
Rights and Permissions
Participants grant display and promotional rights; retain ownership of their work.
Contact Information
For more details, contact the contest coordinator at a13solarpunks@proton.me
Hamilton’s youth are the visionaries of tomorrow. This contest is not just about creating art; it’s about inspiring a movement towards a future where technology, ecology, and community blend seamlessly. We invite all eligible youth of any artistic skill level to share their visions and help paint a picture of a solarpunk Hamilton.