Are you age 55 or older with a talent for art or poetry/essay writing? If so, the Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. (AAA7) encourages you to participate in its 28th Annual Senior Citizens Art Show and Essay/Poetry Contest that is approaching soon.

This year’s contest will be held June 1 through 4 and June 7 through 11 at the Esther Allen Greer Museum and Gallery located on the campus of the University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, Ohio.

Anyone who is 55 years of age or older and a resident of Ohio may participate. The Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. requests no more than three entries in the Art Show per participant, and no more than five entries in the Essay/Poetry Contest per participant. In addition, all Art Show entries must be suitable for wall display.

Those who wish to indicate their work is for sale may do so.

Art entries must be no larger than two feet by two and a half feet, including the frame.

Examples of art categories that may be entered in the Contest include acrylic, charcoal, counted cross stitch, mixed media, oil, pastels, pencil, and photography.

Judging themes include abstract, animals and birds, cartoons, floral, landscape, portraits (humans), seascape, and still life.

Artwork can be submitted through your local Senior Citizens Center in the ten counties included in AAA7’s District (Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton) up until Monday, May 3, or the AAA7 Office located on the campus of the University of Rio Grande by Monday, May 10, 2010.

Essay and Poetry entries should be no more than 1,000 words in length and if possible, should be typed.

There is no subject for entries and participants are asked to be creative. Essay and Poetry entries must be submitted to the Area Agency on Aging District 7 Office no later than April 30.

If interested in submitting an entry, participants are asked to mail two copies of their entry to: Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.; Attn: Sharon Bowman or Jenni Dovyak; F32-URG, PO Box 500; Rio Grande, Ohio 45674.

Those who are interested in either submitting an artwork or essay/poetry entry must obtain an application and rules form which is located on the Agency’s website at www.aaa7.org. Once at the site, click on the Special Events/Art & Essay Contest link and print the form, or call the AAA7 toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 to request a form mailed to your residence.

Winners for the Contest will be announced the day of the Tea Reception on Friday, June 11 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Esther Allen Greer Museum and Gallery. All participants, their guests, and museum and gallery visitors will be welcome to attend.

For more details about the Art Show and Essay/Poetry Contest and/or to request an application, please call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277.