New Orleans, Louisiana - George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) is pleased to announce its Call for Entries to their 2nd Annual Art Contest. All Louisiana high school juniors and seniors attending public and private high schools, home schooled students and GED students may enter. This annual contest offers one-time college scholarships and awards totaling over $45,000 to the top ten (10) senior and top five (5) junior winners. The top winner will receive a $6,000 college scholarship. Last year, out of over three hundred (300) entries from across Louisiana, fifteen (15) winning students shared $35,000 in college scholarships. The 2011 art contest theme is "Speak Out With Art" Applications and photo of art submissions are due by February 1, 2010.

"Art is about making a statement and making it relevant to today," states George Rodrigue, "My Blue Dog Relief series not only raised millions to help those in need following 9/11 and Katrina, it raised awareness in order to create a positive difference in our world. Now, I challenge all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors to create an innovative work of art representing their personal stance on a topic or current event relevant to Louisiana today. Show me how YOU speak out with your art." GRFA Art Contest artwork should both represent an issue important to Louisiana and give a stance on it. A blind, two-part judging process will be based on the following three categories: interpretation of theme, creativity and design.

GRFA requires that the selected piece for submission be no smaller than 11 x 14 and no larger than 18 x 24 inches. Students have the opportunity to use one of many mediums, including oil or acrylic paint, charcoal, pencil or graphite, watercolor, photography, mixed media, or digital media. No test score, grade point average or college major requirement is necessary for entry to the Art Contest. Framed canvases and three-dimensional work will not be accepted. Students must register online at www.rodriguefoundation.org/artcontest by uploading their photographed entry directly to the GRFA website.

The top ten (10) senior winners and five (5) junior winners will be invited to an awards luncheon on March 26th, 2011 in New Orleans where their work will be presented and ranked in person by celebrity judges. Rodrigue Studio on Royal Street in New Orleans will display the original winning artworks for three weeks immediately following the competition's close. Senior winners must be enrolled in college for the Fall 2011 semester in order to receive the scholarship funds and junior students will receive a cash scholarship award.  2011 GRFA Art Contest sponsored by: AT&T and LELA (Louisiana Education Loan Authority)

George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which advocates the importance of the visual arts in the development of our youth. GRFA encourages the use of art within all curriculums and supports a variety of art educational programs. For more information about the Foundation go to:
www.georgerodriguefoundation.org.