Annapolis, MD (03/30/04) - The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay needs help from aspiring young artists to show others what the James River means to them through the 2004 James River Sojourn Youth Art Contest. The winning entry will be featured as the logo for the 2004 James River Sojourn and earn the winner and one family member a free weekend-long trip on the Sojourn. Second and third place winners will earn one free day for themselves and a family member. The James River Sojourn is an educational canoeing and kayaking expedition scheduled for June 25-27, 2004 on the James River, a unique Chesapeake Bay tributary. This year’s trip will begin in Howardsville, Va., and end in Bremo Bluff, Va.

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 James 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: James River Sojourn Art Contest, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, P.O. Box 1981, Richmond, VA 23218. 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 by 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.