The top 10 finalists in the Black History Month Art Contest sponsored by U.S. Cellular and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia. You can vote for your favorite at your local U.S. Cellular store.

U.S. Cellular and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia are pleased to announce the return of the Black History Month Art Contest, which is now in its sixth year. The contest is designed to honor influential African-Americans and inspire students’ creativity.

“We believe in partnering with the community to celebrate our county’s rich culture, heritage and diversity,” said Dana Dorcas, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the mid-Atlantic. “At U.S. Cellular we’re about connecting people. By sharing the success of our heroes and role models, we can learn to build better futures for ourselves and our children.”

Members of nine area Boys & Girls Clubs in Roanoke, Christiansburg and Shawsville were invited to select an influential African-American and develop his or her likeness into an original 8.5-by-11 portrait using any art medium. From those submissions, the Boys & Girls Clubs determined the top 10 finalists.

“Rewarding relationships with partners like U.S. Cellular help us inspire young people to recognize important contributions that people have made and use their creative expression at the same time,” said Laurie Gibbons, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia.

In the past five years, more than 1,500 club members have participated in the contest and the competition gets tougher every year. The Boys & Girls Clubs received several hundred submissions this year before narrowing the field to the finalists. Last year’s first-place winner was Logan Baker from Bonsack Elementary in Roanoke County, who won for his portrait of NFL football player Deion Branch.

The top 10 finalists’ entries will be on display now through Feb. 28 at area U.S. Cellular stores in Salem, Roanoke and Christiansburg, where the public can view and vote for their favorites. The public determines the winners based on the number of votes. The top three will win prizes, with first prize winning a $500 gift card. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony in March.

Voting will take place at the following locations:  

U.S. Cellular
4760 Valley View Blvd. #30, Roanoke, Va.
540-362-9774
Hours: Mon.– Fri., 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sun. 12 – 5 p.m.

U.S. Cellular
3260 Electric Road Ste. 503, Roanoke, Va.
540-725-5887
Hours: Mon.– Sat. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sun.12 – 5 p.m.

U.S. Cellular
1420 West Main St., Salem, Va.
540-375-6760
Hours: Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sun.12 – 5 p.m.

U.S. Cellular
103 Conston Ave., Christiansburg, Va.
540-382-2656
Hours: Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sun.12 – 5 p.m.

– Submitted by Melissa Watkins