The Chilton County YMCA wants local students to get artistic.

As part of Y Arts Week 2008, the organization is holding an art contest for all K-12 students in Chilton County’s schools.

The contest is free to all participants and has the theme “Celebrating the Arts.”

“It doesn’t have to be a specific kind of art,” YMCA Director Rachel McKinnon said. “It could be a painting, sculpture or anything art related that they (students) created themselves.”

Y Arts Week is Nov. 3-9, and all entries are due by Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in order to be eligible for judging the next day.

The judges, which will consist of art teachers from different communities, will come Thursday, Nov. 6 and judge the entries. The YMCA will host an open house that evening from 4-7, and all art will be on display during this time. Those in attendance will enjoy refreshments.

The judges will select one winner from each grade, including kindergarten. They will award the prizes at 6 p.m. during the open house.

McKinnon emphasized that the contest is free.

“I wanted it to be free because there are a lot of art contests you have to pay to enter,” she said.

Each winner in grades K-3 will receive a cash prize of $25. Those in grades 4-6 will receive $35, and winners in grades 7-9 will get $45. The sophomore, junior and senior winners each will get $50 plus a three-month membership to the YMCA.

“I’ve had a good response from all the schools,” McKinnon said. “We are trying to reach out to our community by having these events that are free.”

For more information, call the YMCA at 755-2382 or visit www.ymcachiltoncounty.net.