First Night launches button art contest

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

First Night Youngstown is seeking entries from the region’s artists for its admission button design competition for the New Year’s Eve event.

The winning artist will be a guest in the downtown Christmas holiday parade and tree-lighting event as well as the First Night opening ceremony Dec. 31. The winner’s immediate family will receive free admission to First Night Youngstown. The winning design will also be featured on all FNY promotional materials.

The button series is intended to celebrate downtown Youngstown’s unique and historic buildings and architecture. Artists can use any medium, including photography, drawing, painting, collage, mixed or digital media. The final piece must be digitally saved as a .jpeg.

The design must depict an aspect of downtown in a manner that highlights the spirit of New Year’s Eve. A night scene that includes fireworks or other related themes is preferred. No champagne glasses or images of drinking alcohol are permitted; First Night events are alcohol-free.

The design must include the phrase First Night Youngstown 2017, and it must be rectangular (horizontally or vertically oriented). The final reduction size will be 2 by 3 inches. The designs can also be put on a 3-inch round button.

For an entry form, call 330-744-9966 or email firstnightyoungstown@gmail.com. The deadline to submit a design (with accompanying entry form) is Aug. 31. Mail the form with the artwork on a CD to First Night Youngstown, 25 E. Boardman St., Suite 405, Youngstown, OH 44503.

The admission buttons provide entry to all the First Night entertainment events.