Kristopher Kempski      
(630) 571-5466, ext. 371 (office)     
(773) 485-5747 (after hours)     
kristopher.kempski@lionsclubs.org 

Michelle Blomeke
(630) 571-5466, ext. 372 (office) 
(630) 661-4359 (after hours)
michelle.blomeke@lionsclubs.org

Media Advisory

International Children’s Art Competition Challenges Youth Worldwide to Share Visions of Peace

WHAT: Distinguished members of the art, education, media, peace and youth communities will select the grand prize winner and the 23 merit award winning posters of the 18th annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. The entries will be judged based on originality, artistic merit and portrayal of this year’s theme, “Peace Without Borders.”

The more than 100 posters being judged have been narrowed down from an estimated 350,000 submissions created by children, ages 11-13, in more than 60 countries.
 
WHY: Lions around the world sponsor this program in order to offer children an opportunity to creatively express their visions for world peace. Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organization, began the contest in 1988 to support one of its main objectives, “to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.” To date, more than 3 million children from around the world have participated. 

WHEN: Wednesday, January 11, 2006, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Peace Museum
Garfield Park Gold Dome
100 N. Central Park Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60624
www.peacemuseum.org

Directions: Exit Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) at Independence Blvd and drive north. Turn east on Washington Blvd to North Central Park Ave.

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES: More than 100 works of art created by talented children throughout the world sharing their visions of peace
Note: winning image can be e-mailed to you the day after the judging. Previous and current winning posters can be viewed by clicking here. 
 
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITES: 

• Notable members of the art, education, media, peace and youth communities judging the works
• Kristopher Kempski, communications coordinator, Lions Clubs International
• Melissa McGuire, executive director, The Peace Museum

    # # #