It has been said that, “Food is a central activity of mankind and one of the single most significant trademarks of a culture”. Throughout the history of mankind has not only been essential to survival, it has helped define one’s ethnic and cultural identity.

This year we ask participating young artists to create a piece of  art that illustrates a cultural value that is particularly meaningful to them and that includes food being cultivated, prepared, used, or eaten somewhere in the piece. Food can serve as the central focus of the art, features significantly in the scene, or be merely incidental.

For example the piece may include food in relation to:

• Everyday meals and snacks being prepared and/or shared with family members or friends
  • at home
  • at school
  • in the community
  • outdoors
• The celebration of holidays and other special days
• Religious observances
• The playing or watch of sporting events and other forms of recreation
• Being cultivated in fields or gathered in nature
• Being purchased at local markets

Student artists should provide their partners with an insiders’ view into what makes their culture special whether the context of the art is in the past or present, or whether it illustrates cultural aspects they are proud of or ones they are concerned about. “Mark Kurlansky, author”