SAN ANTONIO (March 7, 2017)—VIA Metropolitan Transit announced its annual Youth Art Contest officially open for entries on Tuesday, and encouraged students throughout the VIA service area to participate. Last year’s contest drew 4,000 entries from student artists in grades pre-K through 12.

VIA’s popular art contest marks its 22nd year in 2017 with the theme “EXPLORE … Plan your next adventure on VIA.” Contestants are asked to take inspiration from the region’s rich culture and heritage, highlight area landmarks and points of interest, and feature public transportation scenes in their entries.

“Each year, I am amazed at the impressive talent and imagination of area students who enter VIA’s Youth Art Contest, and proud of the positive reflection of VIA’s presence in the community,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “Because of the support from these young artists, their schools and families, this program has provided an outlet for creativity, and an opportunity for VIA to continue our commitment to art in transit for the past 22 years.”

VIA’s Youth Art Contest is open to students in grades pre-K through 12, and submissions will be accepted through Friday, April 14, 2017. All students in area schools and youth-based organizations are invited to participate. Each grade level will have a first- and second-place winner announced. One entry, regardless of grade level, will be named Best of Show. All winners will receive a cash prize and other recognition at an awards luncheon in their honor scheduled for Thursday, May 18, 2017. The winning artwork will be displayed at various locations, and the Best of Show artwork will be featured on the exterior of two VIA buses, courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor.

Students can illustrate the theme using any medium on an official poster board (11” high x 17” wide). The poster boards are free and can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, beginning Tuesday, March 7, at VIA’s Administration Building, 800 W. Myrtle St., or the VIA Metro Center, 1021 San Pedro Ave. Entries can be mailed to or dropped off at VIA’s Administration Building, 800 W. Myrtle St., San Antonio, TX 78212 Attn: Jerri Ann Jones. Deadline to submit an entry is 5 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2017.

The design from last year’s Best of Show winner, Roosevelt High School student Thanh (Tammy) Nguyen, was installed on a four-panel roof of a NextGen shelter located near Thousand Oaks and Perrin Beitel Road. This is the first Best of Show artwork to be featured on a bus shelter.

For more information on the Youth Art Contest, visit www.VIAinfo.net, or call Jerri Ann Jones at (210) 362-2381.

VIA Metropolitan Transit provides regional multimodal transportation options that connect our community to opportunity, support economic vitality and enhance quality of life throughout our region. VIA, recognized by the Texas Transit Association as the outstanding Metro Transit Authority of the year, serves 14 member cities and the unincorporated areas of Bexar County, operating seven days a week on 90 routes. In 2015, VIA provided 42.2 million rides across the region. VIA’s AAA bond rating reflects the organization’s sound management and financial practices. Visit www.VIAinfo.net for more information. Follow us on www.Facebook.com/VIATransit, www.Twitter.com/VIA_Transit, and www.Instagram.com/VIATransit.