News Release

March 3, 2014   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Chicago Zoological Society to Sponsor “Speak Through Art” Contest to Honor
Late Latino Activist Cesar E. Chavez

Brookfield, Ill.—The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, is inviting all Chicagoland area students in grades Pre-K through 12 to participate in an 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.

Accepted mediums for the artwork are one or a combination of the following: watercolors, acrylics, pastels, colored pencils, crayon, collages, or ink. (Photography, letterpress, or digitally created artwork of any kind will not be accepted.) One entry per person. All entries must be received by the Society on or before March 28, 2014.

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 artwork about how his/her own positive actions and the actions of others, such as in community service, and their connection with wildlife and nature, could keep this legacy of commitment alive in their schools, communities, and/or the world.

Cesar Chavez inspired farm workers and millions of people who never worked on a farm to commit themselves 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 Chicago Zoological Society is committed to inspiring conservation ethic in all people so they may care more deeply about wildlife and nature. This contest is just one of many ways of reaching out to youth from diverse communities,” said Stuart Strahl, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society.

Only original, unpublished artwork created solely by the entrant will be accepted with a properly completed entry form. Artwork should be submitted to Cesar Chavez “Speak Through Art” Contest, Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513. For official rules and further information, go to www.CZS.org/ChavezArt.

Winning entries, along with other select entries, will be on display in Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center from April 6-13. Winners will receive a prize pack, including items from No Manches Clothing Co., Pantelion, LLC, the Chicago Zoological Society, and from other supporters and sponsors of the event. This event is also sponsored by the Society’s Arcoiris group, whose mission is to achieve organizational excellence through diversity.

A celebration will take place on Sunday, April 6, at Brookfield Zoo’s Pavillions. 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)

The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

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

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