News Release

 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
February 1, 2016
 
FOR IMMEDITE RELEASE
 
Note: Photos of a Cesar Chavez Celebration at Brookfield Zoo may be downloaded below:
Chavez Art Contest
Chavez Band

 
Chicago Zoological Society to Celebrate Cesar Chavez with Annual Art Contest in his Honor
Special Celebration Planned for March 13
 
            Brookfield, Ill.—The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, is inviting all students in Illinois to participate in the “In Honor of Cesar Chavez” art contest reflecting the spirit of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers and their commitment to improving the standard of living, wages, and working conditions of farm workers through nonviolent social action. Prizes will be awarded in several age categories ranging from Pre-K through Grade 12.
           
Accepted mediums for artwork are one or a combination of the following: watercolors, acrylics, pastels, colored pencils, crayons, collages, ink, graphic design, and original video or audio recordings (one entry per person). All entries must be received by the Society on or before March 7, 2016. Entries will be judged based on their creativity, originality, and overall reflection of the subject. Original entries will not be returned.

Students are encouraged to create art that reflects their own positive actions and the actions of others, such as in community service and their connection with wildlife and nature.

Only original, unpublished artwork created solely by the entrant will be accepted with a properly completed entry form. Artwork should be submitted to the “In Honor of Cesar Chavez,” Art Contest, Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513. To download an entry form and for further information, go to www.CZS.org/CesarChavez.

Winning entries, along with other select entries, will be on display in Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center through April 15, 2016. The event is sponsored by the Society’s Arcoiris group, whose mission is to achieve organizational excellence through diversity.

Art contest winners will be recognized during a celebration at Brookfield Zoo on Sunday, March 13, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. There will be live musical entertainment by the popular group, Malafacha Ska, dancing and interactive activities for all ages. In addition, there will be up-close encounters with some of the zoo’s ambassador animals, a theatrical presentation by Youth Crossroads, fun hands-on activities with the students from the Society’s King Science Conservation Scholars program, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers-UIC, and the National Museum of Mexican Art. In addition, guests can visit Hamill Family Play Zoo for special activities on the day of the event.

Cesar Chavez inspired farm workers and millions of people who never worked on a farm to commit to social, economic, and civil rights activism. Cesar’s legacy, like the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., continues to educate, inspire and empower people from all walks of life. He is a role model for all Americans and for generations to come. To learn more about the United Farm Workers, go to www.UFW.org.

The Society also commemorates the late Latino activist Cesar Chavez by encouraging students to participate in community service such as planting a garden, cleaning up a park, or volunteering in a community organization of their choice. Additionally, everyone is invited to visit the State of Illinois’ website at www2.illinois.gov/serve/pages/cesar_chavez.aspx to learn about the Cesar Chavez Learn and Serve Program. “During the week of March 31 (Chavez's birthday), schools, agencies, and community organizations may participate in this innovative program to encourage community service by our young people while serving as an educational tool for history, social studies, environmental, and art classes. Students across Illinois will learn the importance of community service by addressing hunger issues, volunteering at nursing homes, cleaning up parks and planting gardens.” (State of Illinois website)

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sondra Katzen
Director of Public Relations
Office: 708-688-8351
Cell Phone: 708-903-2071
E-mail: Sondra.Katzen@CZS.org

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