Art Contest "Let's Beat SMOG Together in Zawiercie" in the Zawiercie Commune

Art Contest "Let's Beat SMOG Together in Zawiercie" in the Zawiercie Commune

Ecological education plays a significant role in the upbringing of society. It represents a unique type of education, as it focuses on the relationship between humans and the environment. Additionally, it raises awareness about how the actions of each individual can influence the surrounding natural environment.

One form of ecological education is the organization of environmental contests. By engaging in creating artistic works related to environmental protection, children and adults become more acquainted with ecological themes.

In line with this, the eco-manager of the Zawiercie Commune, Paulina Podsiadło, organized an art contest in May titled "Let's Beat SMOG Together in Zawiercie" within the Zawiercie Commune's territory, under the patronage of the Mayor of Zawiercie. The contest took place as part of the EU project "Silesia. Blue Sky Restored." This project involves a comprehensive implementation of an air protection program for the Silesian Voivodeship.

The contest was directed at children aged 3-6 and students in grades 1 to 8 of primary schools within the Zawiercie Commune. The task for the contest was to create a creative artistic work depicting ways of dealing with the phenomenon of smog in Zawiercie. The artistic pieces were meant to revolve around air protection, methods of preserving clean air, and ideally, to include references to renewable energy sources.

The contest's objective was to popularize knowledge about air protection and the fight against smog, encourage pro-ecological attitudes among children and young people, and educate about renewable energy sources.

A total of 85 artistic works were submitted for the contest. The works were judged in three age categories: children aged 3-6, students in grades 1-3 of primary school, and students in grades 4-8 of primary school.

The contest entries were exceptional, standing out with remarkable ingenuity, creativity, and a thorough understanding of air protection issues. This made the task of selecting the best works quite challenging for the jury.

The authors of the contest entries created, among other things, models of their envisioned eco-friendly backyards, featuring renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panels and heat pumps. Simultaneously, these models also included abundant greenery, contributing to reduced pollution in the surrounding environment. Other contest entries were crafted using a variety of artistic materials, from crayons, paints, and tissue paper, to clay figures, Lego blocks, and more.

A significant and simultaneously positive surprise was the awareness of smog issues demonstrated in the artworks by the youngest contest participants. This was significantly influenced by lectures conducted by the eco-manager in kindergartens within the Zawiercie Commune, as well as ecological education provided by educational institutions and the education on this topic conveyed by parents.

All participants received eco-surprises, and attractive eco-prizes awaited the contest winners. These prizes were co-financed by the European Union and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, as part of the EU project "Silesia. Blue Sky Restored." This project comprehensively implements an air protection program for the Silesian Voivodeship.

The formal award ceremony for the contest took place during the Ecological Picnic organized on June 17, 2023, in the City Park in Zawiercie.

More info and photos on City Hall in Zawiercie website.

Text and photos: Paulina Podsiadło and the City Hall in Zawiercie