Tuning Up: High School Writing Contest + #SCartist philanthropy

Good morning! 

“Tuning Up” is a morning post series where The Hub delivers curated, quick-hit arts stories of interest to readers. Sometimes there will be one story, sometimes there will be several. Get in tune now, and have a masterpiece of a day. And now, in no particular order…

The UofSC Honors College is soliciting submissions for the 2022 High School Writing Contest. Up for grabs are cash prizes and a publishing opportunity. Honors students will select 20 finalists whose writings on the topic “How should we improve the state of South Carolina?” will be reviewed by Ron Rash, short story writer and novelist. The annual contest is open to juniors and seniors at all S.C. public, private, or home schools, and the deadline to submit is September 26, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more and submit contest entries on this page.

A pencil drawing from Caroline 12 years ago, before she became a professional artist, of her son who was battling cancer at the time, and his puppy, Abby.

So you know how The Hub solicits reader news submissions? We, devoid of greed or the need for others’ rightful attention, will publish those with “Submitted material” as the byline. Or sometimes here, as the case might be. Here’s such a submission.

Caroline, an animal and wildlife oil painter located in Beaufort, operates Alpha Mare Studio. Her son is a two-time cancer survivor, and each year she uses her art to raise money for awareness and related causes. Earlier this year she completed the S.C. Trailblaze Challenge, hiking 28.3 miles in one day to raise over $5,000 for Make-a-Wish Foundation.

To bring attention to September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, she is giving a discount on any and all types of paintings and prints for anyone who donates to their favorite childhood cancer-related cause. Details on the Alpha Mare website. 

Cheers, Caroline!