Older Oklahomans Invited to Share Their Art

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Conference on Aging seeks entries for the annual Senior Oklahoman Poetry and Photography Contests. The contests are popular events held in conjunction with the annual event, which is sponsored by Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division and conference partners.
“Poets may write on any topic,” said Claire Dowers, the conference coordinator. “We usually receive more than 200 poetry entries and they cover a broad range of topics from humorous accounts of past experiences to very inspiring messages from people with great insight of life and living.” Contestants must be 60 years of age or older and be a resident of Oklahoma. All poetry must be original and each contestant may submit no more than one poem.

Poetry entries must be received no later than Jan. 31, 2010. As all appropriate entries will be published in a booklet that will be distributed during the Oklahoma Conference on Aging, the deadline will not be extended. Poems received after the deadline will not be considered. Poems can be submitted by e-mail to AgingServicesPoetryContest@OKDHS.org. Submissions can also be mailed to OKDHS Aging Services Division, Attention Paula Cockrell, 2401 N.W. 23rd St., Suite 40, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

The photography contest has categories for both seniors, adults 60 years and older, and school age children, grades K-12.  Photos from seniors must be relevant to the following topics: nature, portraits, miscellaneous, or an “Interpretation of Aging.” Photographs submitted for the final category should be accompanied by a 30 word description of what aging means to him or her. Children must submit photos that provide an “Interpretation of Aging” accompanied by a 30 word description of aging as it relates to the photograph. All photos will be displayed during the conference.

All photography entries must be matted on black or white 2-inch matte board and received by March 13, 2010. Photos submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Submissions must be mailed to OKDHS Aging Services Division, Attention Paula Cockrell, 2401 N.W. 23rd St., Suite 40, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

Winners for both will be notified by May 1, 2008, so they may attend the conference and be recognized during a ceremony held on Senior Day, Tuesday, May 18.

The conference is scheduled for May 18-20, 2010, and will be held at the Tulsa Southern Hills Marriott.  All Oklahomans age 60 and older are invited to participate in Senior Day activities free of charge.

For complete contest information, contact your local Area Agency on Aging by calling the Senior Info-Line (800) 211-2116 or by calling the OKDHS Aging Services Division at (405) 521-2281.

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