The Montana Meth Project today awarded over $300,000 to scores of talented teens who entered this summer's Paint the State contest, including the $13,000 grand prize to Alexa Audet, a 16-year-old from Broadwater County. "A most remarkable display of public art" is how one traveler described the entries that stretched across the state in what is likely the largest public art contest in history. The 660 works of art are spectacular representation of the creative thinking and talent of teens and thousands of their family and friends in all 56 counties in Montana.
Launched in May, the contest called on teens to take action in the fight against Meth abuse by creating highly visible public art that illustrates the dangers of methamphetamine, the state's leading drug problem. The entrants pushed the limits of creativity in public display by placing their art on buses, hay bales, garbage cans, teepees, and even the sides of cows and sheep.
In a ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda in Helena, renowned Montana artist Russell Chatham chose the grand prize winner out of 56 first place county winners. "The quality and diversity of the artwork was extraordinary.
Montana's teens so skillfully portrayed the many aspects of the Meth epidemic. It was a difficult decision to make."
Chatham awarded the Paint the State contest grand prize to Alexa Audet, a junior at Broadwater High School. Her mural, painted on the Townsend City Pool building in Broadwater County, was singled out from among the 660 entries for its methamphetamine prevention message and artistic expression.
Audet's design was influenced in part from a school presentation by Mary Haydal, mother of Cassie Haydal, the Montana teen who died from a
methamphetamine overdose in 2000. Says Audet, "Cassie's story was heartbreaking. I wanted my piece to tell kids 'Don't even try it.' Nothing
good can come out of it. It shatters lives."
The location Audet chose for her mural, on the city pool building where she is a summer lifeguard, provided an opportunity to reach a young
audience with a strong, positive message. Together with her mother Callie Audet, a high school counselor, the pair worked for 3 weeks to finish the painting. According to Audet, "The colors and images sparked conversations between kids and their parents about the effects of Meth use. The mural represents everything beautiful that can be lost when life is devoted to
Meth."
After receiving the $13,000 award, Audet announced that she would put it towards college, where she plans to study graphic design.
In addition to the statewide grand prize, 165 awards were given to the first, second, and third place winners in each of Montana's counties. Entries were judged by each county's commissioner who evaluated the submissions on Meth prevention message, artistic merit and creativity, and public visibility.
Yellowstone County first place winner Lindsey Wolfe used a donated car as the canvas for her project. While she painted symbols of the effects of
Meth use, several people came by to speak with her. Said 15 year old Wolfe, "One man, a recovered Meth addict, was very emotional. He said if my project could stop even one person from trying Meth, it would be worth it."
The campaign has garnered broader awareness of the Meth problem and demonstrated that communities can take positive action. "This is perhaps the largest public art display in history," said Tom Siebel, chairman of the Montana Meth Project. "Young people across Montana have spoken out loud and clear about their distain for methamphetamine. Thousands of teens and their families throughout the state were actively engaged. This is a great moment in Meth prevention."
"Our generous sponsors -- PPL Montana and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana helped make this contest possible. PPL Montana contributed $250,000 and involved its employees statewide in promoting the contest, recruiting teens, and sponsoring project teams. We would also like to thank Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana for its generous $100,000 contribution and outstanding support," Siebel concluded.
Governor Brian Schweitzer, a strong supporter of the Montana Meth Project from its inception in early 2005, opened the award ceremony by
saying, "I commend all of the participants in the campaign against Meth abuse in Montana," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "Meth has affected our Montana families. This project has demonstrated that real change can happen, community to community."
A photography exhibition featuring the work of the Paint the State artists will be on display in the Capitol Rotunda from August 9 through
August 31.
About the Montana Meth Project
The Montana Meth Project is a not-for-profit organization headquartered
in Missoula, Montana. The Montana Meth Project implements a range of
advertising and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use among Montana teens. The Meth Project is funded by a grant from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. For more information, visit
http://www.montanameth.org.
Contact Jennifer Gamelin of DDB Public Relations, 206-344-2496 for Montana Meth Project