Entries invited to 'Nebraska Poets on Sheldon Paintings' poetry contest

Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announces a contest, Nebraska Poets on Sheldon Paintings, in conjunction with the "Poets on Painters" exhibition on view April 26 through June 29.

A cash prize will be awarded in each of four categories for the best poem written about a painting or paintings in the Sheldon collection. Winning poems will be considered for publication in magazines and newsletters. Submissions are welcome from Nebraska poets (published and unpublished), writers and students.

Guidelines are available on the Sheldon Web site ( www.sheldonartgallery.org/events_programs/index.html?topic=detail&evnt_id=256). To view paintings, visit the museum or search online at www.sheldonartgallery.org/collection/index.html. Admission to the museum is free.

The contest categories are:

* Poetry written by K-5 grade students
* Poetry written by 6-8 grade students
* Poetry written by 9-12 grade students
* Poetry written by adults, 18 and over

An experienced poet and visual artist will judge each category.

Entrants must be residents of Nebraska and may apply to only one of the categories. No past or present paid employee of the Sheldon Memorial Gallery, Prairie Schooner or the University of Nebraska Press or current faculty or graduate student at the University of Nebraska will be eligible for the prizes.

Submissions should not exceed three poems. Each poem must respond to a specific Sheldon painting. Please note the painting's title in a note at the bottom of the poem. Submissions should be original, unpublished work (but may have appeared in student periodicals). Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but Sheldon officials ask that poets notify gallery staff immediately if their manuscript is accepted for publication elsewhere. Submissions will not be accepted via e-mail or fax. A $3 entry fee must accompany each submission, payable to the Nebraska Art Association.

Each entrant should send only one manuscript envelope. Manuscripts should be typewritten (one side only, please) on 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper and accompanied by a cover sheet with the following information: title of the poem(s), category, author's name, address, phone number, e-mail address (if available), grade level (if applicable) and academic institution (if applicable).

Of this information, only the title should appear on the manuscript itself. Manuscripts will not be returned; entrants should retain a copy for their records. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for announcement of the winners.

Entries must be sent via USPS and postmarked between Jan. 1 and March 1. The Sheldon cannot provide information on the status of a manuscript until winners are announced on its Web site on or before April 15. Winners will receive notification in April. Questions about the contest may be submitted by e-mail to: sheldonpoetrycontest@unl.edu.

Send submissions by March 1 to Nebraska Poets on Sheldon Paintings, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, P.O. Box 880300, Lincoln, NE 68588-0300.

A grant from the Nebraska Arts Council has made this contest possible.

Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, 12th and R streets on the UNL City Campus, has more than 12,000 artworks in its collections. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For information or to arrange a tour, call (402) 472-2461. Additional information is available on the Sheldon Web site, www.sheldon.unl.edu.