Are you age 55 or older with a talent for art, photography or poetry/essay writing? If so, the Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. (AAA7) encourages you to participate in its 33rd Annual Senior Citizens Art Show and Essay/Poetry Contest that is approaching soon.

This year’s event will be held May 26-29 (Tuesday through Friday) and June 1-5 (Monday through Friday) at the Esther Allen Greer Museum located on the campus of the University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande,.

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 one entry per person in each category for the Essay/Poetry Contest. The event’s official application form includes a list of the rules and guidelines that have been established.

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 the AAA7’s District (Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton) up until Monday, April 20, or the AAA7 Administrative Offices, located on the campus of the University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, by Monday, April 27.

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 27.

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: Jenni Lewis; 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 “AAA7 Information” link. Once there, click the “Special Events” link followed by “Art Show and Poetry/Essay Contest.” Here, you will find a flyer and application form for the event. You may also call the AAA7 toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 to request a hard copy application form mailed to you.

Winners for the Contest will be announced the day of the Tea Reception from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, June 5 at the Esther Allen Greer Museum. All participants, their guests, and Museum visitors will be welcome to attend.

For more details about the Art Show and Essay/Poetry Contest and/or to request an application form, please call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 or e-mail info@aaa7.org.

Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently at home through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay. The AAA7’s Resource Center is also available to anyone in the community looking for information or assistance with long-term care options.

Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., the Resource Center is a valuable contact for learning more about options and what programs and services are available for assistance.

Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY: 711). Here, individuals can speak directly with a nurse or social worker who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. The Agency also offers an in-home assessment at no cost for those who are interested in learning more.

Information is also available on www.aaa7.org, or the Agency can be contacted through e-mail at info@aaa7.org. The Agency also has a Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/AreaAgency OnAgingDistrict7.