SE Valley Times

The Mesa Historic Preservation Board is organizing a Historical Essay and Visual Arts Contest to engage students in learning about the city's history. The essay competition is available for students from fourth to twelfth grade, regardless of their school type. Additionally, there is a visual arts contest open to all kindergarten through twelfth-grade students residing in Mesa. The contests aim to enhance students' understanding of Mesa's history while honing their writing or artistic skills by creating stories around historic events in the city. Registration is open until March 10.

The essay contest requires participants to write a historical essay or fictional story on one of three topics: visiting the Mesa Historical Museum and describing a significant photo or art piece, explaining the importance of a street name in Mesa, or detailing a historical figure's contribution to Mesa's history. Students may also choose their own topic related to historic preservation.

For the visual arts contest, students can explore video production, sketching, painting, or constructing a 3D model based on themes such as identifying an existing place in Mesa that should be historic in 50 years, recognizing a site older than 50 years that should be preserved, or redesigning a downtown facade or sign. Participants may also create original art pieces related to historic preservation.

Entries must demonstrate research, original thought, and either writing or visual skills. Submissions can be emailed to historicpreservation@mesaaz.gov or delivered in person to the Historic Preservation Office at 55 N. Center St., addressed to Dawn Dallman. Alternatively, they can be mailed to:

City of Mesa Historic Preservation Office

Attn: Dawn Dallman

City of Mesa

P.O. Box 1466

Mesa, AZ 85211-1466

All entries must be postmarked by March 10, 2025. Submitted projects become property of the Mesa Historic Preservation Board and will not be returned.

Separate judging and awards will occur for both contests across different grade categories (K-3, 4-6, and 7-12). Cash prizes ranging from $25 to $100 will be awarded to first, second, and third-place winners among students and teachers in each category. The top three essayists and visual artists will receive recognition from the Mesa City Council during Historic Preservation Month in May. Additional information and entry forms are available on the Historic Preservation Office's webpage.