Wide varieties of Citizen Potawatomi Nation artists — youth, professional and amateur — attend the CPN Family Reunion Festival each summer. The Festival’s art contest welcomes them all to show off their talent to other Tribal members, whether they paint, practice photography, bead moccasins or build sculptures.
Adult contest
Registration runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday inside the main entrance of FireLake Arena located on the west side of the building. The artwork will go on display along the outer hallways of the same area.
The adult contest consists of the amateur and professional divisions and is open to those 16 and older. Participants should submit their piece as a professional if they have received payment for that type of work. Otherwise, artists may enter as an amateur.
The amateur division includes two categories: painting/drawing and other. Artists may submit three pieces across all categories. Submissions do not have to be Native American themed, and the contest accepts all types of art, including regalia.
Judges evaluate the amateur pieces, but Tribal members at Festival vote on the winner of the professional contest. Both take place between noon and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday inside the arena. Each citizen receives one vote.
Winners are announced at General Council, which begins at 3 p.m. First, second and third place winners of the amateur contest, as well as the winner of the professional division, receive cash prizes.
All artists must use their claim ticket to pick up their art themselves directly following General Council as they are leaving the arena.
Youth contest
The youth art contest consists of four age groups: 5 and younger, 6 to 9, 10 to 12 and 13 to 15. The Tribe hopes it inspires younger artists to continue their craft into adulthood.
The youth contest takes place inside a tent directly south of the CPN water tower next to FireLake Discount Foods. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Each artist can submit up to three pieces.
All mediums of art are welcome and not required to be Native American themed. Youth participants must create their pieces before Festival and within the last three years.
Organizers announce the winners in the contest’s tent. CPN awards first, second and third place ribbons in each category; all participants receive a FireLake gift card.
Children should take their art with them as they leave the tent.
There are plenty of other contests scheduled throughout Festival weekend including traditional hand games, softball, chess and checkers, billiards, pistol matches, dominoes, horseshoes, dance, golf, 3-on-3 basketball and mini-putt.