Any high school students in Dallas ISD are invited to submit retail-themed photos to United Commercial Realty’s “Retail as Art” contest with scholarship prizes: $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $750 for third place.
You’ve probably seen UCR signs while driving around Dallas — the company manages and leases more than 37 million square feet of retail property nationwide, and represents more than 100 regional and national retailers and restaurants, including Galleria North, Preston Forest Village and The Shops at Park Lane (we interviewed vice-president David Shelton for February’s cover story). UCR sponsors this contest to “showcase the best local photographic talent, celebrate and capture the true essence of Dallas retail, and reward the winners and their schools for their talent and efforts.”
That’s right — the winning students’ high school art departments receive prizes, too. The contest is in its third year, and Booker T. Washington students have swept the contest both years. That makes sense considering that it was open to only Booker T. Washington students the first year, and only two schools the second year (plus, that is the district’s performing and visual arts magnet high school). Now, however, the contest has been expanded to all Dallas ISD high school students.
The contest launch party is Thursday night, Feb. 24 at Design Within Reach, 6-8 p.m. Photography industry professionals will speak, and any students in attendance will receive a gift. The contest deadline is April 1, and entry forms are available on the Retail as Art contest page.
