Presented by The Friends of Ocea G. JonesA Community Creativity Contest
My Dream for Park Forest
Imagine the future of Park Forest. What does a stronger, more connected, more vibrant community look like through your eyes? Show us your vision — and your talent.
Submissions due January 2, 2027
The Contest
Imagine the future of Park Forest
What does a stronger, more connected, more vibrant Park Forest look like through your eyes? We’re excited to see how you use your talents to present that vision.
Selected artwork will be publicly displayed throughout the community, allowing residents and visitors to experience the creativity and talent that exists within Park Forest.
Open to everyone
Contest Categories
Teen Division
Adult Division
People’s Choice
Enter a separate piece — no age category required.
What you can win
Prizes
A 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize is awarded in every category, plus a People’s Choice Award. All contestants are invited to the in-person Awards Reception.
1st Place
- $500 cash prize
- Artwork displayed publicly in Park Forest
- Featured on the Ocea G. Jones website
- Additional prizes may be added
2nd Place
- $200 cash prize
- $100 gift card to a Park Forest business
- A plaque listing their accomplishment
- Featured on the Ocea G. Jones website
3rd Place
- $100 cash prize
- $100 gift card to a Park Forest business
- A plaque listing their accomplishment
People’s Choice Award
- $500 cash prize
- $200 worth of gift cards
- A certificate of recognition
- Artwork displayed publicly + on the Ocea G. Jones website
Timeline
Key Dates
Get inspired
Dream in every color
Judging
How Entries Are Judged
Artwork is reviewed by a diverse panel of judges, evaluated on:
Creativity & Originality
Connection to Theme
Artistic Skill
Overall Visual Impact
Mixed media
What You Can Submit
This is a mixed-media contest — use any tools, techniques, and media (paint, fabric, and more) to bring your project to life. Accepted formats include:
- Short film
- Mosaic
- Paintings / Drawings
- Canvas artwork
- Sculpted pieces
- Digital drawings
- Framed artwork
- Mounted posters
- Foam board
- Photography prints
- Digital files
- Sculptures
- Textile pieces (with hanging hardware)
The fine print
Contest Rules
- You do not need to be a Park Forest resident to enter.
- Artwork must be completed within the last 2 years.
- Artwork should be the artist’s original work.
- Artists may submit separately into the People’s Choice category — that piece must be different from any entered for an age category.
- You can submit for the People’s Choice Award without entering an age category.
- All artwork must be turned in by the deadline: January 2, 2027, 11:59 PM.
- Winners do not need to be present at the Awards Reception to receive their awards.
- Artists must sign a release allowing their artwork to be published and displayed with no suggestion of copyright infringement.
Every submission must include
- An artist statement describing the work, its inspiration, or your “Dream for the future Park Forest.” Your artist statement is to provide clarity and insight into the piece, or your thought process while creating. (No word count.)
- Title of the artwork
- Artist name
- Age category
- Contact information
Get involved
How to Enter
Register
Complete the online registration form — or scan the QR code to open it on your phone.
Prepare your artwork
Make sure your piece is display-ready. If it’s meant to hang, it should have a wire or the appropriate supporting hardware.
Schedule your drop-off
Drop-off date, time, and location: to be announced.
Include your details
Submit your contact information along with your artwork (kept separate from the piece itself).
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