For More Information, Contact:
NTCA Office, 570-265-7455

For Immediate Release
November 23, 2009

Deadline Approaching for NTCA Ornament Competition

The deadline is fast approaching for the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance's first Annual Holiday Ornament Competition. Entries should be delivered to NTCA's PA North Country Artisan Center & Store in the Washington Street Station by 5:00pm on Tuesday, December 1st.

This year's Competition includes two categories:

People’s Choice Award – Gingerbread Person Theme: Open to anyone, any age. Ornaments can be made from any medium (clay, fiber, paper, etc.) but should be in the shape of a Gingerbread Person (no kits). Ornaments should be light enough to hang on a live tree. A “People’s Choice Award” will be given to the ornament receiving the most votes from the public beginning First Friday, December 4 and ending Thursday, December 17 with the winner announced Friday, December 18. Winner will receive a basket of goodies from the PA North Country Artisan Center & Store.

NTCA 2010 Featured Ornament: Open to professional artists, ages 18 and over. Ornaments should be original work and be inspired by our local history, culture and traditions. The Winning Ornament will be NTCA’s 2010 Feature Ornament and sold through the PA North Country Artisan Center & Store throughout 2010. The artist will receive a portion of the store sales. The ornament should be light enough to hang on a live tree. Ornaments will be judged by a Special Committee based on quality of work, originality, marketability, and connection to regional history/traditions/culture. Winner will be announced by Friday, December 18th. Jury Fee: $10

One entry per person and one category per person. Entries must be received at the PA North Country Artisan Center & Store by 5pm, Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Ornaments will be hung on a tree(s) at the Washington Street Station through December 31, 2009. For entry form and full details, visit www.ntculturalalliance.org or email info@ntculturalalliance.org.

The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance (NTCA) fosters awareness and appreciation of the cultural traditions produced by the unique blend of diverse cultures found in our region through annual and special events, exhibits, the PA North Country Artisan Center & Store, educational programs and community involvement. NTCA serves as one of seven Regional Folk Arts Support Centers in partnership with the PA Council on the Arts (PCA) in a statewide Folk Arts Infrastructure Initiative that seeks “to strengthen awareness and understanding, as well as participation in, traditional arts across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." In addition, NTCA serves as one of 17 regional service providers selected by the PCA to administer the PA Partners in the Arts Program which small grants opportunities for organizations to support a wide variety of local and community arts activities.

In support of its mission and the Folk Arts Infrastructure Initiative, NTCA now offers support to artists and community organizations from 10 northern Pennsylvania counties: Bradford, Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming. For more information, visit NTCA online at www.ntculturalalliance.org.

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