Dear Art Educator:

We are pleased to announce the Arisia Student Art Contest.

This is a free contest, open to all secondary school students. Cash prizes ($800 total) will be awarded for the best science fiction or fantasy-themed artwork. There are no entry or exhibition fees, and no "gotcha"s. We simply wish to recognize, celebrate and encourage outstanding student art. Students who wish can also choose to put their art up for sale.

Arisia is the largest and most diverse volunteer-run science fiction convention in New England. Now in its 22nd year, Arisia will be held January 14-17, 2011 in the Westin Waterfront Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. Among other activities at the convention (panel discussions, demonstrations, storytelling, costume events, games, movies, etc.), we have a first-class Art Show, showcasing over 80 of the finest professional and amateur science fiction and fantasy artists and illustrators. Some of these artists will participate in the final judging of the Student Art Contest.

Arisia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation; its purpose is to further the enjoyment and appreciation of science fiction and fantasy, and to bring together the fan community. We believe it is essential to involve and motivate the next generation of artists and fans; this art contest is an important part of that mission.

For 2011, the convention theme is Mad Science. Students are free to submit entries using either the convention theme or any other Science Fiction or Fantasy theme for inspiration.

Each year, we are astounded at the imagination and high quality of art submitted by students. For a look at the finalists and winners from previous years you can go to: http://2009.arisia.org/student_art_winners or http://www.mv.com/users/morris/arisia/studentart.10/.

The following sheet contains the complete rules and an entry form. Please make as many copies as you need, or visit our website at http://2011.arisia.org/studentartcontest for copies or additional information. For more general information about Arisia, please visit our web site at http://2011.arisia.org/.

If you have any questions about Arisia or the Student Art Contest, please send email to [email protected]. We are very excited about this contest, and we are eager to see what your students create.

Sincerely,