Nov. 30

Left to Right: Patricia Seltzer-
MVHS Principal, LaTonna Atene –
ARTSCO,Inc, 2011 $500 Grand Prize
Winner Crystal Abrigo- 11th Grade,
Rebecca Ortega – ARTSCO, Inc, Dorothy
Bigman MVHS Teacher. Photo taken
12/22/11 at Monument Valley High
School, UT.
Photo by Geri Hongeva)

Window Rock, AZ - Students on the Navajo Nation will have an opportunity to let their artistic creativity soar in the third annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon event art contest.  The Annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon event will be held on January 11-13, 2013 at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  The theme for the third annual event is “Soar and Explore Monument Valley Sky.”

Students in grades kindergarten through twelfth are encouraged to enter their artwork.

Artsco – the owner of The View Hotel in Monument Valley – will award $500 for a poster contest winner, $500 for a grand prize winner, and $500 for another category called the Sponsor’s Choice.   Additionally, Artsco will also present $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place winners in each grade level – Kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Last winter, more than 60 students from the Navajo Nation entered the Hot Air Balloon event art contest

Armanda Ortega, owner of Artsco, said due to its overwhelming success, they decided to sponsor another art contest in conjunction with the Third Annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event in January 2013.

Ortega said, “We are strongly encouraging students from throughout the Navajo Nation to enter their artwork to help promote the hot air balloon event at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  We know there are many talented young Navajo youth.  We are honored to help support and promote Navajo youth because they are going to be our future leaders.”

Artwork can be sent to the attention of Lena Black at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, P.O. Box 360289, Monument Valley, Utah  84536 or can be delivered in person to the park office in Monument Valley.  For additional information about entry forms, artwork guidelines or other questions, contact Ms. Black at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at (435) 727-5870 or 5878 -Fax number  (435) 727-5875.  The deadline for entries is December 14, 2012.  Awards will be presented on December 19^th at The View Hotel.

The art contest entry form and guidelines can also be obtained at www.navajonationparks.org.