challenged the community to design an image to go on banners that will hang from the light poles in Southern Pines to welcome newcomers to the historic downtown.
Several local residents have already entered the contest, but the appearance commission wants people to know that there is plenty of time left. The contest goes through April 30.
"They have plenty of time," said Appearance Commission member Greg Zywocinski.
Town Manager Reagan Parsons, The Pilot Publisher David Woronoff and downtown business owner Claudia Miller, representing the Southern Pines Business Association, will judge the contest. They'll pick a favorite or two to bring before the Town Council for approval.
Zywocinski and fellow commission member Bud Wallen have been making the rounds to get the word out. They've been on local radio and television stations, and in the newspaper. They've gone to talk before art classes at every level of education from Sandhills Community College to the Southern Pines Elementary School.
"There seems to be a lot of interest," he said.
They've also contacted the Artists League of the Sandhills and Artist Alley. But great artists aren't the only ones who should enter, Zywocinski said.
"It can be simple," he said. "It can be just a sketch. The company we're getting to make these (banners), they have graphic designers. It can be just a concept. They don't need anything that fancy."
Size of the banners and imagination are the only limitations on the designs. The banners are each 45 inches tall and 18 inches wide. The Appearance Commission believes the winner will be a design that is simple, welcoming and encapsulates the character of Southern Pines.
"What's surprised me so far is that we don't have an entry with the train station on it," Zywocinski said.
The banners will fly on the poles that line Broad Street and parts of New Hampshire and Pennsylv-ania avenues.
Anyone interested in submitting an entry can send it to P.O. Box 716, Southern Pines, N.C., 28388. You can get more information on the Internet at southernpines.net.
Contact Matthew Moriarty at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty@thepilot.com.
