2026 INITIATIVE
Preservation Contest
The proposed 765-kV transmission line threatens to bisect our historic landscapes and pastoral valleys. Through art, documentary, and the written word, we invite you to capture the essence of what is at stake and advocate for the protection of Clarke County's agricultural heart.
Categories & Guidelines
Terms and Conditions
1. Must be a resident of Clarke County
2. We do not want to maintain ownership or intellectual property rights of submissions, but would like use rights for the website, social media, and any potential gallery shows or exhibits in the future.
3. Art work will be returned to artist.
Youth
Elementary school students (Grades K-5). Focus on creative expression and observation of nature. Prize levels: First Place $50, Runner-up $25.
Teen
Middle and High School students (Grades 6-12). Encouraging deeper research into historic and cultural preservation. Prize levels: First Place $150, Runner-up $75.
Adult
Community members aged 18 and older. Professional and amateur categories for documentaries and art. Prize levels: First Place $500, Runner-up $250.
Contest Guidelines
1. Essays
Essay Word Limits
- Adults (18+): 1,500 word max
High School: 1,500 word max
Middle School: 750 word max
Elementary School: 1,000 word max
- Assess the Valley Link North transmission line's effect on personal, ecological, historical, political, and agricultural landscapes.
2. Short Stories
Submit fictional narratives depicting the transmission line's potential impact on our local community.
- Available to all Clarke County residents with a 5,000-word limit. Distinct categories for adults and minors.
3. Art & Photography
- Submissions should emphasize Clarke County's natural beauty or illustrate its potential desecration. Open to all age groups.
5. Ai Usage
AI is prohibited in the Essays and Short Stories categories. In the 'Beauty of Clarke County' art and photography categories, we require unedited, non-AI images. Any detected AI use in these categories will result in disqualification. For the 'Potential Desecration of Clarke County' photography category and the Documentary category, AI use is permitted.
4. Documentaries
- Highlight what is at risk if the transmission line crosses western Clarke. Lengths: 1-3 or 3-5 minutes. Separate age awards.