April is National Financial Literacy Month and as a fitting complement Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner welcomes area students and their families for a reception and art show capping off the Treasurer's annual Financial Literacy Multimedia Arts Contest, produced in partnership with Flagstar Bank, Oakland Schools, and the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA).
"Now more than ever, our students must be equipped with the financial literacy skills they'll need to control their finances, instead of their finances controlling them. Promoting financial literacy and education is a personal passion of mine and a primary focus of the Oakland County Treasurer's Office. The art contest is one of the most effective not to mention enjoyable ways in which we accomplish that mission." Meisner said. "It is a real pleasure to honor these student-artists from across Oakland County and see their creative perspectives on financial themes."
"Oakland Schools is once again very pleased to partner with Andy and his staff, Flagstar Bank, and OLHSA in this eighth year of the Meisner Multimedia Art Contest. This unique contest is a wonderful way to not only support quality arts education by showcasing our extremely talented high school artists, it's a creative way for our students to learn the importance of financial literacy, which cannot be understated. The student art is absolutely amazing, and a huge thank you goes out to our participating high school art teachers who inspire their students and who have been great supporters of this endeavor," said Hedy Blatt, Oakland Schools' fine arts consultant.
The student-artists will be honored at a reception and art show recognizing them and their families on Friday, May 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Flagstar Strand Theatre in downtown Pontiac where scholarship winners and contest participants are personally announced and congratulated by Meisner and Blatt from Oakland Schools. The art work will be displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer's Office for one year and included in an online art gallery on the Treasurer's website, www.oakgov.com/treasurer/gallery.
This year's contest enjoyed a high level of student participation with entries from over 116 student-artists representing 9 high schools in 8 Oakland County public school districts. Scholarships and cash prizes are awarded to at least three student-artists from each high school grade level based primarily on how well they use their artistic vision to interpret and portray subjects of financial literacy. Students must include a typed artist statement describing the themes depicted within their work. The art contest has awarded over $70,000 in scholarships over the seven years of the competition. Flagstar Bank is the primary sponsor of this year's event and provided the funding for the awards.
"I want to thank the contest's generous sponsor Flagstar Bank as well as contest fiduciary OLHSA, without both this contest would not be possible," Meisner said. "Flagstar Bank has been an exemplary corporate partner helping to promote awareness of financial literacy themes through this contest and in countless other ways. I salute them for everything that they have done, and continue to do, for our community including this great theater.
"I marvel at the creativity of these students and respect their hard work and that of the many great teachers throughout our fine Oakland County public schools encouraging their participation. I also greatly appreciate the assistance of Oakland Schools." Meisner said.
Participating high schools include Rochester Adams, West Bloomfield, Brandon, Clarenceville, Lake Orion, Pontiac, Rochester Stoney Creek, Troy International Academy East, and Wylie E. Groves High School.
The contest is open to Oakland County public high school students in grades 9 through 12. Each entry must be the original work of the student. Since this contest is multimedia themed, there are many areas in which a student may choose to explore. Acceptable entries include 2-D (drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and illustration) and video.
Published: Mon, Apr 29, 2019
