InTIREnational Art Contest celebrates its third year as part of Upstate International month
GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 15, 2015 – Michelin North America today announced open registration for the return of the InTIREnational Art Contest that the Company will host as part of Upstate International 2016, a month-long series of community events that celebrate the cultural diversity of South Carolina’s Upstate.
In its third year, Michelin’s InTIREnational Art Contest challenges participants to create a work of art with an international theme using four tires donated by Michelin. The contest is open to individuals or teams from schools, universities, businesses and non-profit organizations interested in creating a piece of art that celebrates the international fabric of the Upstate.
Michelin will accept registrations on its website — www.inspiredtires.com —through Nov. 30. Once entered into the contest, participants will have three to four weeks, Jan. 11 through Feb. 12, 2016, to complete their artwork. The winners will be announced during an event on Thursday, March 31, 2016. The contest is limited to the first 50 registrants.
Two winners will be selected this year. “The People’s Choice” will be awarded to the entry that receives the most votes during Upstate International month in March 2016. Voting is open to all members of the public. The second winner will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of leaders in the Upstate art community. Each winning entry will receive a $5,000 donation to a charity, school or non-profit of its choice.
“Each year we are so impressed with the artistic quality of the entries we receive,” said Leesa Owens, director of community relations for Michelin North America in Greenville. “The diversity and imagination here in our community is inspiring. It’s exciting to celebrate the cultural qualities that make our region so great.”
In its initial year, the Michelin InTIREnational Art contest welcomed more than 35 entries from groups, schools and individuals across the Upstate’s 10 counties. During last year’s contest, local artist Patricia Thomas was selected by a team of judges to win the "Judge’s Choice Award," and a team of elementary students from Ellen Woodside Elementary school earned the fan favorite, People’s Choice award.
Entries will be on display during Upstate International Month in March 2016.
Michelin is a presenting sponsor of Upstate International along with Clemson University and the International Center of the Upstate. Returning for its fourth year, Upstate International will be held throughout the month of March.
Michelin’s InTIREnational Art Contest is open to all legal residents of South Carolina. Contestants can participate as individuals or as teams from schools, universities, businesses and non-profit organizations. Registered participants will receive four scrapped tires donated by Michelin. Participants will have three to four weeks to craft works of art that incorporate an international theme. Submissions will be judged on overall design and execution, global theme and tire usage.
For more information about the contest, please visit www.inspiredtires.com.
