Community Corner

New Tollway Map Cover is Subject of Contest

Student artist with winning design will get $600 in gift certificates.

High school art students are being asked to apply their talents to the cover of the 2012 Illinois Tollway map. Students attending 314 public high schools in the 12 counties served by the Illinois Tollway are invited to participate.

The Illinois Tollway, Blick Art Materials and U.S. Equities are sponsoring the contest.

Students have until Oct. 3, to submit entries from one of three transportation-related themes, including:

  • Distracted Driving: What do you want motorists to know about the dangers of driving while texting or e-mailing? What’s the best way to get drivers to stop this potentially deadly habit?
  • “Green” Transportation: How can the tollway be friendlier to the environment? What would the tollway look like if it was 100 percent “green?"
  • Tollway of the Future: What will our roadways look like in the future? How do you envision traveling on the tollway when you’re 50 or 80?

“This new partnership provides an opportunity to showcase the work of young artists while also engaging students in transportation issues,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “We hope that this contest gets young people thinking about how we can make our roadways safer and greener and about what the tollway could and should be 50 to 100 years from now.”

Artwork created by the grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2012 map which is distributed at no cost to more than 125,000 customers.  Winners from each of the three categories will be featured in the tollway’s annual report. Awards include:

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  • Grand prize winner: A $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from U.S. Equities to use at Oases retail shops and restaurants.
  • Runners up: A $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from U.S. Equities.

All students who participate in the contest will receive a certificate of appreciation from the tollway and will be invited to attend a post-contest party with all contest participants. Winners will be acknowledged at an Illinois Tollway Board meeting in November.

“Blick Art Materials is pleased to participate in this student art contest,” said Chief Executive Bob Buchsbaum. “We are looking forward to seeing the innovative art designs from these aspiring young artists.”

The top 30 entries will be featured on the Illinois Tollway’s Web site and displayed in galleries at each of the seven Tollway Oases on Oct. 17. The public is invited to cast votes online at illinoistollway.com. The grand prize winner and runners up from each of the three categories will then be selected by a panel of judges including members of the Tollway Board of Directors and representatives from U.S. Equities.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with the Illinois Tollway,” said Katherine Scott, executive vice president/managing director of U.S. Equities Realty. “We look forward to seeing the talents of our aspiring artists on display in the Oases and on the winning map cover.”

All contest submissions must be postmarked by Oct. 3. Contest rules and all required entry forms are posted on the Tollway’s Web site at illinoistollway.com.

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