BECKLEY, W.Va. – The Bill Withers Committee is seeking contest entries of art, music, and literature from local youth who are inspired by Bill Withers songs and his life.
Those with the committee say “The purpose of the contest is to expose the young people of our area to the music of our native son.”
Bill Withers was a Grammy winner, as well as an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
“His music was inspired by his life and upbringing here in the mountains of Southern West Virginia, and now his music can inspire young people to express themselves artistically about what they hear and gain from his music,” said the committee.
The contest consists of several age categories: 1st – 2nd grades, 3rd – 5th grades, 6th – 8th grades, and 9th – 12th grades. There will be three major categories: Art, Music, and Literature. Within the art category (elementary-high school), entries can be visual paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, or crafts. The music category (middle/high school) will include songwriting (instrumental and with vocals). The literature category (middle/high school) includes essays (up to 600 words) and poetry.
The contest is open to students in Raleigh County.
Winners will be notified prior to the Bill Withers Memorial Festival and will be recognized at the festival taking place June 28th.
Entries are due by June 3rd. The entry form and contest instructions can be found here.
You can learn more about the City of Beckley’s effort to cement Bill Withers’ legacy here.
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