Design contest, Henrietta Lacks Hometown Initiative calls for artists to create drawing

HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Henrietta Lacks Hometown Initiative is calling for drawings created by artists in Southern Virginia that will be used as inspiration to construct a life-size statue of Henrietta Lacks.

Henrietta Lacks — also known as the “Mother of Medicine” — was an African American woman whose cancer cells were the source of the HeLa cell line. This became the first immortalized human cell line and was one of the most important cell lines in medical research.

Lacks was raised in Clover of Halifax County.

Artists living in Southern Virginia are recommended to submit their designs to take part in honoring the world-renowned historical figure.

According to Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, the winning submission will be used as inspiration to create the remembrance statue of Henrietta Lacks.

The following are guidelines for the contest:

• Creativity is welcomed, but the designs should be a life-like drawing of Henrietta Lacks.
• Submission for the contest will serve as as source of inspiration for the sculptor and may not result in an exact duplication of the design. Designs could be altered by the sculptor if necessary.
• Parents must sign the Design/ Artwork Release Agreement form for any minor under 17 yeas old to enter the contest.
• Participants can only submit one entry and the designs must be original work.

To enter, submit your design, entry form and signed Design/Artwork Release Agreement no later than 5 p.m. on March 15 by using the methods below:

• Email: boxoffice@prizery.com. To submit via email designs must a JPG, PNG or PDF format.
• Mail: The Prizery, Attn: Henrietta Lacks Design Contest, located at 700 Bruce St., South Boston, Va., 24592
• In Person: You can submit in person at The Prizery — 700 Bruce St., South Boston, Va. 24592

Organizers said submissions will be selected by a panel of judges based on how well the design can translate into a bronze statue.

The center said the winning submission will be framed and placed on public display. The winner will also get public recognition from various media outlets, including press releases, websites, social media posts and more. The winner will also be contacted contacted in advance.

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