New name. New format. Same great competitions.
In 2014, Drs. Jean Minto and Timothy Hui had an idea to bring the library and the arts together in the form of poetry and short stories. So was born the annual Poet Laureate and short story competitions. Dr. Minto passed away in fall 2020 and we are still grieving the immeasurable loss of our dear friend, professor and colleague. The Masland Library and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences could think of no better way to honor the life of Dr. Minto then by continuing the competition and to rename in her honor.
| Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 7:00-8:30 PM in the BLC's Connie A. Eastburn Gallery |
THEME: Distinguished
"What does it mean to be human?” This question is as old as humanity. The Bible gives us a definitive answer: we are image bearers–imago dei. We reflect God the creator and by design, we are distinct from creation. This answer, though, did not satisfy the ancients, and it does not satisfy contemporary culture. We look for identities in anything, encouraged to “choose our own identity” with the promise of significance, community, and purpose. We operate like little gods.
And little gods like to think they can create without the God. The rise of Artificial Intelligence reflects the ingenuity of God, but it also reflects the hubris and faithlessness of humankind. Some see AI as a threat to be defeated, others see it as an achievement to be marketed, and the majority, perhaps, accept its arrival like many other things: passive acceptance.
If we claim to be made is God’s image, though, why do we choose to live like we are less? How can we be content to let our minds atrophy and our creativity rot, allowing a machine to live for us?
My challenge to you this year is to be distinguished. What makes you irreplaceable, God’s companion in the garden? In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul reminds God’s children they are “his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV). His language is not passive: we are “created” for “good works” so we can “walk.” When we allow technology—or anything—to do the work instead of us, we settle for canned replications. We settle for obscurity.
We’d like your works of art, whether they are visual or written, to convey what it means to be human. Your works should express the distinctives of humanity and celebrate the power in being God’s image bearers. You may choose to show us “redemptive moves–the ways we can begin, right now, to live more fully human lives,” or you may choose to show us what we’re losing.
GENRES: Original poem, short story or creative non-fiction, piece of two-dimensional art, or video
DEADLINE: February 2, 2024
QUESTIONS: Email Professor Gleason at cgleason@cairn.edu
AWARDS:
Critics Choice Award: Winning students will be given a monetary award for their works in addition to a certificate and university recognition.
People’s Choice Award: Winning students will be given a monetary award for their works in addition to a certificate.
STUDENT ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE: The work of the winning students will be displayed for one year. We ask that these students be present at the next year’s competition to pass on the honor to the new winners.
COMPETITION DATE/AWARDS PRESENTATION: Thursday, February 22, 2024, 7-8:30 PM in the BLC's Connie A. Eastburn Gallery
Create an original poem, short story, work of creative non-fiction, piece of two-dimensional art, or video about this theme. Please review the following guidelines carefully before submission:
Creative Non-fiction or Short Story: 2500 - 5000 words (5 - 10-pages); Times New Roman or similar font; size 12; double-spaced
Please submit your work by February 2, 2024. A panel of judges will read the selections prior to the awards ceremony. The winner will not be announced until the award’s presentation; however, you need to be prepared to read a portion of your work to the audience. Your works will also be available to the student body for review and electronic voting prior to the awards ceremony for the people’s choice award.
Poetry:
20 - 40 lines; Times New Roman or similar font; size 12; double-spaced
Please submit your work by February 2, 2024. Your poetry will not be evaluated by the judges until the day of the award ceremony, but it will be previewed by the Humanities Chair to ensure the requirements are met.
Poetry selections will be judged on their composition and their presentation. Those who submit will read their poems on the day of the awards presentation. A panel of judges will review the works during a short intermission and select a winner. All poets need to be prepared to read their poems during the presentation. The audience will also have the ability to vote electronically immediately after the poetry reading for the people’s choice award.
Two-dimensional art:
Traditional or mixed medium (no digital entries) matted; Size – 12x16*
Include a 4 to 5-sentence artist statement about the work of art.
Please submit your work to the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences by February 2, 2024. A panel of judges will evaluate the artwork prior to the ceremony. The winner will not be announced until the award’s presentation; however, you need to be prepared to read your artist statement to the audience if your work is selected. Your works of art will also be on exhibit in the gallery for the student body to view and vote electronically for the people’s choice award a week before the awards ceremony.
Video:
Original production designed for the competition.
Please submit your work by February 2, 2024. A panel of judges will review your works prior to the award’s presentation; however, the videos will also be made available for the “People’s Choice Award.”
The video should be 2 to 3 minutes in length, and participants should be prepared for their work to be viewed by an audience.