National ROW Program
Wonderful news from the National ROW office! The National 2012 contest has been re-born after a year off for fund raising and much anxiety. We are certainly glad to partner once again with them this year.
In Georgia we will also hold our state-wide contest after the national one. We will announce any news or changes as soon as we hear. Keep checking this site.
Please use the official entry forms from the National site and send your entries to:
River of Words
PO BOX 4000J
Berkeley, California 94704
Annual deadline is December 1
All about ROW
The River of Words Project is designed to help youth explore the natural and cultural history of the place they live. After studying a watershed in their own environment, students express, through poetry and art what they discover. They are invited to enter a FREE national Art and Poetry contest administered in Berkeley, California.
About 100 poems and artworks are selected as National finalists each year. All winners receive ribbons, books or art supplies, T-shirts and other prizes from Berkeley.
Eight grand prize winners–four in poetry and four in art, in four age categories–are chosen from the U.S. entries. We also award an International Prize each year to a student from outside the United States. The International Prize may be awarded for either poetry or art.
After the National contest, Georgia entries are sent back to Atlanta. We hold our state-wide contest then and select additional winners. In Georgia poetry submissions are judged by the Georgia Center for the Book. Art entries are judged by artists and art enthusiasts from the GA Environmental Protection Division.
About 50 poems and artworks are selected as finalists each year in Georgia. In May we celebrate with the student winners, their parents and teachers.
The ROW Journal, a full-color printed booklet, is produced to showcase Georgia honorees. The winning works are also reproduced to become part of a traveling exhibit, hosted by the Georgia Center for the Book, which moves to libraries throughout the state. Another exhibit is also available for checkout to schools, nature centers, and other educational facilities. All original artwork and poetry from Georgia participants is returned to the students.
Email for details about the exhibit.
Email to receive a ROW Teacher's Packet which includes the Row Journal, Georgia Teacher's Guide, bookmarks and more.
Official River of Words Rules
The Poetry and Art Contest
The contest is open to any child from 5-19 years of age. Older students must have not yet completed high school. There is no charge to enter.
Students may enter on their own, or as part of a group (classroom, Girl Scout troop, 4-H, etc.) but the entry forms are different and must be attached to the back each piece facing outward.
ENTRY CATEGORIES
Category I – Kindergarten-Grade 2
Category II – Grades 3-6
Category III – Grades 7-9
Category IV – Grades 10-12
GROUP Entries
School groups, after-school groups, scout troops, 4-H clubs, and others: For entries completed through group activities or under the guidance of a facilitator, STUDENTS must complete the group entry form and the LEADER or TEACHER must complete the group facilitator form.
Please send all group entries, group entry forms and facilitator form in one envelope or package– do not send each entry individually.
INDIVIDUAL Entries
If you are entering the contest completely on your own (not through school or any other guided activity), please complete the individual entry form.
Please Note: If you are submitting more than one entry, a separate entry form must accompany each entry. Please send all of your entries, and attached entry forms, in one package.
Poetry Guidelines (Please visit River of Words.org for complete contest rules)
All poems must be original work.
Written poetry must be either typed (preferred) or legibly written in ink (pencil does not photocopy). Poems should not exceed 32 lines in length (written).
The student's name, school, city and state should be on the poem, and a completed Entry Form (individual or group) must be stapled back to back with each poem, with both the poem and entry form facing out.
Artwork guidelines (Please visit River of Words.org for complete contest rules)
All artwork must be original work. We do not accept color photocopies.
Artwork may not exceed 11" by 17" – no exceptions.
Acceptable media are paint, pencil, markers, ink, crayon, chalk or pastel (fixed), photography, cloth, collage, woodcuts, linoleum block prints, silk screen, monoprints, lithographs and computer art. Photo entries must be at least 8" x 10".
All entries must include the student's name, school, city, and state on the back. Do not use marking pen or anything that will show through. A completed entry form must also be affixed to the back of each piece of artwork. Please attach the entry form with tape or other fixative (if using glue, be careful to use one that will not run through and damage the artwork). Do not use paperclips.
High-quality color reproductions of prize-winning artwork will be provided to their respective creators.
Art entries must be done on paper that will allow for duplication, display, or framing. Please, no notebook or typing paper, and do not mat, mount, laminate, frame, or fold artwork. Entries must be mailed flat or rolled in a tube–no folding!
Send all Georgia entries by December 1 to:
River of Words
PO Box 4000J
Berkeley, California 94704
Visit the Galleries of Georgia River of Words Winners by Year:
