Confinement: One Read Art Exhibit Call for Submissions

July 14, 2020 Leave a comment

Confinement
A One Read Art Exhibit
Orr Street Studios (106 Orr Street, Columbia and orrstreetstudios.com)

“I suppose a room is the summation of all that has happened inside it”

~ Amor Towles, “A Gentleman in Moscow”

Inspired by this year’s One Read book “A Gentleman in Moscow” we invite Mid-Missouri artists ages 16 and older to contribute works that explore the experiences of isolation and confinement. 

Cash prizes will be awarded for three winners, sponsored by Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The third place winner will receive $50, second place $75 and first place $125 plus a one-year membership to the Columbia Art League.

The exhibit will take place September 1-26 and will be viewed virtually at www.orrstreetstudios.com. 

Submission Details Read More →

Flash Fiction Contest Winners

October 16, 2019 Leave a comment

As part of this year’s One Read program, we invited you to take inspiration from “Nomadland,” and tell a tale of transition. The story could be about anything and anyone, but it should evoke the notion of transition, change or a journey, be it literal or personal.

All of the writers shared their stories in less than 250 words. Thank you to everyone who entered and shared your stories of transition.

Our two winners are Audrey Mueller and Stacie Strong. Honorable mentions go to Allen Fennewald and Kate Robbins.

We are excited to share the winning stories with you! Read More →

Transition: Flash Fiction Writing Contest

August 20, 2019 Leave a comment

This contest is now closed. Winners will be announced on October 16. 

 

“There have always been itinerants, drifters, hobos, restless souls.”
~Jessica Bruder, “Nomadland”

asphalt road winding through green expanseIn this year’s One Read selection, author Jessica Bruder explores the experiences of folks living on the road in order to follow seasonal work. These nomads live in a constant state of transition, moving from one place to another, from one job to the next. Taking inspiration from “Nomadland,” we invite you to tell a tale of transition in 250 words or less. Your story can be about anything and anyone, but make sure it evokes the notion of transition, change or a journey, be it literal or personal. 

Starting September 3, entries may be submitted using this form, mailed or dropped off at any library or bookmobile. (See full rules below for details.) Winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this site and in the Columbia Missourian, and winners will receive a $25 book store gift card.

Participants must be age 16 or older and residents of Boone or Callaway Counties. Read on for complete contest rules. Read More →

Travelers: One Read Art Exhibit Call for Submissions

June 21, 2019 Leave a comment

Travelers
A One Read Art Exhibit
Orr Street Studios (106 Orr Street, Columbia)

black and white photo of weather vane“Bleary-eyed, they find places to pull off the road and rest. In Walmart parking lots. On quiet suburban streets. At truck stops, amid the lullaby of idling engines. Then in the early morning hours—before anyone notices—they’re back on the highway. Driving on, they’re secure in this knowledge: The last free place in America is a parking spot.”
~ Jessica Bruder, “Nomadland”

Inspired by the examination of this century’s new migrant workers in the 2019 One Read book “Nomadland,” we invite Mid-Missouri artists ages 16 and older to contribute works reflecting any expression of travel or travelers, be it in nature, on the highway or in the imagination. Art for this exhibit should evoke passage, relocation or journeying.

Cash prizes will be awarded for three winners, sponsored by Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The third place winner will receive $50, the second place winner $75 and the first place winner $125. First place will also receive a one-year membership to the Columbia Art League.

Art will be displayed September 1-28 at Orr Studios with a reception, awards and program on Friday, September 6 at 6 p.m.

Submission Details Read More →

Mini Mystery Writing Contest

July 23, 2018 6 Comments

“The perennial questions in the Osage land is, ‘who will be next?'”
-Daily Oklahoman reporter, quoted in “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann

Photo of William Hale

Many members of the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma lived in constant fear for their lives. They lost many friends and family to murders that were seldom solved or fairly investigated. Taking inspiration from this history as presented in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” we invite you to use the line, “Who will be next?” as a springboard for — and the first sentence of — a mini mystery story of your own. While the experiences of those in our One Read book were very real, your mystery can be completely fiction. The puzzle presented or the crime solved can be large (like a murder) or small (like missing possessions), but the writing must be about a crime or the threat or fear of one. The length limit for these mini mysteries is 250 words.

Enter starting August 31 using this form. You can also mail in your entry or drop it off at any library or bookmobile stop. (See full rules below for details.) Winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this site and in the Columbia Missourian. Winners will receive a $25 bookstore gift card.

Participants must be age 16 or older and residents of Boone or Callaway Counties. Read on for complete contest rules.

Read More →