December 1, 2012, In celebration of Rt. 66 and all it stands for, Atlanta, Illinois— located Midway on the Mother Road between Chicago and St. Louis—announces the First Annual “Rt. 66 Reinterpreted” Art Project.

Modeled on Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” exhibit, the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project presents artists the opportunity to create their own take on one of the 20th Century’s most iconic and recognizable symbols: The U.S. Rt. 66 Highway Shield.

Participating artists will be provided a blank, 2ft. x 2ft. wooden cutout of the Rt. 66 highway shield, painted white, which will then become their personal canvas. The only requirement in creating a reinterpreted shield is to incorporate the text “Illinois U.S. 66” somewhere on the face of the shield, in whatever size, shape, or color the artist desires. Everything else about the design, style, background, and color of the reinterpreted shield is left to each artist’s imagination and creativity.

The project is open to anyone 16 years old and above. Up to 50 entries will be accepted in this year’s project, as determined by the date applications are received. All 50 entries will be displayed outside along Rt. 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois from 5/1/13- 8/31/13. The Atlanta Betterment Fund Board of Directors will select 10 shields out of the 50 entries as Finalists. Voting will then take place from 5/1/13-8/31/13 to select the top five shield designs as winners of the 2012 project. Anyone, anywhere may vote: either in person at selected Rt. 66 attractions in Atlanta or online via Atlanta’s website at www.atlantaillinois.org. The top five vote-getters will be the winners of this year’s Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project. At the conclusion of the project, the five winning shields, along with the names of the artists who created them, will be displayed on a permanent basis in the Atlanta Rt. 66 Park.

Artists wishing to enter the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project must submit a completed Application Form, along with a $25 entry fee. Completed applications are due by or before February 1, 2013. Applications received after February 1, 2013 will not be accepted. Completed Rt. 66 Reinterpreted shields should be carefully packaged and returned to: The Atlanta Betterment Fund, 114 SW Arch Street, Atlanta, Illinois 61723. Shields should be submitted between March 1, 2013, and April 5, 2013. Shields received after April 5, 2013 will not be accepted.

Shields selected as finalists will be judged on originality of design, overall concept, and quality of execution. The Atlanta Betterment Fund sponsors the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project. All decisions regarding judging are final. Entries selected as finalists will be notified by April 30, 2013. Entries selected as one of the top five winning designs will be notified by September 1, 2013. Entries selected as one of the top five winning designs will also be showcased at the International Mother Road Festival in Springfield, IL September 27-29, 2013.

Click on the “Rt. 66 Art Project” logo at: www.atlantaillinois.org  for more information, including project guidelines and an application form to enter the Rt. 66 Reinterpreted Art Project. Or contact: