Violence Prevention Grey Bruce has announced the winners of the Art For Change contest.
The contest was initiated in 2019 and invited youth in Grades 7-12 and adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities to create art about healthy and unhealthy relationships. The winning submissions can now be seen at www.vpgb.ca.
Included in the contest were visual art categories for all ages and demographics as well as a video category for students in grades 9-12. The original deadline was pushed back by COVID-19 to June of this year, and Violence Prevention Grey Bruce received submissions from across the two counties.
Due to the pandemic, the original plan of gathering to celebrate the winners has now been adjusted to an online celebration. The winners will still receive their cash prizes, and the details of the online awards show will be shared soon on the Violence Prevention Grey Bruce social media networks.
“Teens and people living with cognitive or intellectual disabilities are among the most vulnerable to relationships violence," said Jon Farmer, Violence Prevention Grey Bruce coordinator. “We launched this project to encourage conversations and amplify the messages that participants created. Youth especially are more likely to listen to each other and we figured that this art would be more engaging than messages created by adults."
Farmer also added, “Healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics need to be part of our everyday conversations with young people to help them develop the perspectives and skills they need to keep themselves and each other safe. Love shouldn’t hurt. Friendship shouldn’t hurt. Starting these conversations early and keeping them going throughout our lives is the best way to keep people safe."
Visit www.vpgb.ca for more information.
