CHICAGO (November 17, 2020) – The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is excited to announce the winner of the Woodlawn Youth Banner Contest! In the month of October, the Woodlawn Banner Collective, comprised of fourteen different Woodlawn serving organizations, sought community submissions from Woodlawn youth ages 12-20 years to design a new banner that represents Woodlawn. The winner will have their design printed and placed on banners that adorn light poles along Cottage Grove Avenue, 61st Street and 63rd Street for the entire Woodlawn community to see and enjoy! DOWNLOAD FULL PRESS RELEASE
The first-place winner of the Woodlawn Banner Contest is Marshall Isaiah Callery, a 20-year-old Woodlawn resident and graduate of Marist High School. When asked, “What does Woodlawn mean to you?” Marshall replied, “Woodlawn means a place with a great history and a developing community.” His design showcases a theme “Where Woodlawn Ideas Grow” and features various Woodlawn landmarks, such as Daley’s Restaurant and Statue of the Republic.
The second-place winner is Camren Millan, a 14-year-old Woodlawn resident, that attends John Fiske Elementary. Camren submitted a themed design titled “Woodlawn, a Community Where Everyone Helps Each Other. We are One” featuring an image of Earth embraced by hands and diversity.
The third-place winner is Morgan Gilliard, a 15-year-old Woodlawn resident, attends the Chicago High School of the Arts. Morgan submitted a diversity themes piece that shows the many faces of Woodlawn that was inspired by Woodlawn “where everyone feels welcome”.
Artists aged 12-20 that either live, go to school or participate in an afterschool program in the Woodlawn Neighborhood were encouraged to apply. All youth artists were encouraged to choose a positive theme and tagline that best represents Woodlawn. Theme samples include: “Woodlawn Strong”, “Neighbors Together”, “Woodlawn Unite”, etc.
All youth artists that sent submissions will be awarded a special certificate at a special holiday gathering in Woodlawn on Saturday December 12th, 2020 from 3:30pm-5:30pm at the Woodlawn Botanical Garden, located on the north west corner of East 63rd Street and South Stony Island Avenue adjacent to the Hyde Park High School.
The first-place winner will have their design featured on light pole banners throughout Woodlawn’s main business corridors of 61st Street, 63rd Street and Cottage Grove between 61st and 67th Streets. The top three winners all receive a VISA gift card and a free consultation session with the award winning CEI Media Group, a black-owned multimedia and design firm, to learn how to get their design graphic ready for the banners and/or digital media.
The Woodlawn Banner Collective is comprised of the following 14 Woodlawn serving organizations: The AKArama Foundation Inc. • Blacks in Green (BIG) • HelloBaby • MetroSquash • One On One • The Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) • South East Chicago Commission • Sunshine Enterprises • Sunshine Gospel Ministries (SGM) • We are Woodlawn • The Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce • The Woodlawn Community Summit • Woodlawn Diversity in Action • YWCA Metropolitan Chicago