Washington, DC (03/25/04) - The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) need help from aspiring young artists to show others what the Potomac River means to them through the 2004 Potomac River Sojourn Youth Art Contest. The winning entry will be featured as the logo for the 2004 Potomac River Sojourn and earn the winner and one family member a free week-long trip on the Sojourn. Second and third place winners will earn one free day for themselves and a family member. The Potomac River Sojourn is an educational canoeing and kayaking expedition scheduled for July 9-17, 2004 on the Potomac River, a unique Chesapeake Bay tributary. This year’s trip will begin in Cumberland, Md., and end in Williamsport, Md.

The art contest is open to all elementary, middle and high school students. The Alliance is seeking colorful 8.5 x 11 inch images that in some way depict the spirit of the Potomac River. Submissions should be made on white paper and may be created with watercolors, acrylics, crayons, markers, colored pencils, pastels…almost any flat media. Sorry, but we can’t use sculptures, photos, computer-generated or raised relief art.

Submissions must be postmarked by May 7, 2004 and sent to: Potomac Sojourn Art Contest, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, 1612 K Street, NW, Suite 202, Washington, DC, 20006. Please include your name, address, telephone number, school, grade, and date of birth on the back of your submission. There is a limit of one submission per person. For more information and complete contest details, visit www.AllianceChesBay.org.

The sojourn partners will make selections and notify the winners by June 4. All other participants will be notified June 18, 2004. Founded in 1971, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has served as the voice of the Bay by fostering relationships and building partnerships to improve the health of the Chesapeake and its tributaries. For fourteen years, the Alliance has worked with local river conservation organizations across the Bay watershed to hold river sojourns that celebrate the rich history and ecology of the rivers that make the Chesapeake Bay unique.

The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin helps enhance, protect and conserve the resources of the Potomac River basin through regional and interstate cooperation. Learn more about the commission at www.potomacriver.org.