Campus News

Voting Now Open For the Cornerstone Digital Media Wall Art Contest

Cornerstone digital media wall.
Mark Cornelison | UK Photo

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 19, 2021) — University of Kentucky employees, students, alumni and members of the greater Lexington community are now welcome to cast their votes for the Cornerstone digital media wall art contest winners. Voting will determine the People's Choice art work selections.

The inaugural call for art, which took place in December, focused on the following two themes:

Black Lives in the Bluegrass:

In 2020, we saw renewed public outcry against systemic racism and calls for social change. In cities and towns across the state, protesters have taken to the streets to assert that Black Lives Matter. This call seeks images that acknowledge the deep legacy of racism in our country; recognize the pain it inflicts upon our communities of color; protest systemic injustice and represent a desire for change; underscore Black liberation and joy; and celebrate the ongoing vital contributions of our Black and Brown citizens to life in the Commonwealth. They may include but are not limited to photographs of protests, scans of posters, images of murals, portraits of Black leaders and works that point to a more just future.

Kentucky Confronting COVID-19:

During the global pandemic, Kentucky has rallied together to fight the disease, keep essential services available, and help our community stay strong. This open call seeks digital art that celebrates the contributions of frontline workers, mourns the loss of loved ones and addresses the complex array of feelings attendant to physical distancing, economic hardship and systemic inequities that the pandemic intensified. This series aims to show moments of struggle, strength and resilience in the face of the challenges that the pandemic has presented to our community. Works displayed in this series may include portraits of essential workers, scenes of daily life under quarantine and illustrations that capture moments of togetherness despite the necessity of social distance, among other possibilities.

Images were submitted by amateur and professional content creators, some affiliated and some not affiliated with UK. A jury of UK faculty, staff, students and community members will select finalists in each of the two open call series. The People's Choice category is being voted on now until April 2.

Generously funded by a grant from Coca-Cola, 10 cash awards of $1,000 each will be awarded for artistic excellence (five in each open call series) in the following categories:

  • UK Student Award
  • UK Faculty & Staff Award
  • Kentucky Community Award (eligibility limited to non-UK students, faculty and staff)
  • Equity & Inclusion Award (eligibility limited to persons of color)
  • People’s Choice Award (online voting mechanism to select winner)

Voting is open for the People's Choice Award until Friday, April 2. To vote for your favorite, click here

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.