Giving a chance for local artists to shine, the Two Twelve Arts Center in Saline is hosting a competition for the month of June called “Earth — a Closer View.”

Inspired by the book "Microscopic Art Forms from the Plant World" by R. Anheusser, the challenge receives entries for many types of art — works made of clay, felt, mosaic, recycled trash and paintings.

This is the second “Earth Challenge” created by Kat Campau, an artist and instructor at the center. The previous challenge brought in many diverse entries capturing the planet Earth, which inspired Campau to hold another one this year. 

"I knew it would inspire many fun projects and again focus attention on caring for our Earth,” Campau said of the book.

“To encourage responsible stewardship of the ecosystem, this challenge includes a request to use something recycled in the piece of art,” Campau added.

With an entry fee of $15, the competition allows for each artist to enter up to two pieces, which will be displayed at the center for the month of June as a part of its Artist of the Month series.

At the end of the competition, winners will be chosen with the help of two judges, Pam O’Hara, owner of Artistica Gallery in Dexter and Joan Potter Thomas, manager of Northville Art Center. Both accomplished artists, O’Hara and Thomas will be asked to evaluate the entries based on artistic merit, Campau said.

Contestants have several chances of winning, as prizes will be granted to Best Use of Recycled Objects, Best of Show, and first and second places each for 2D and 3D art. Winners will receive cash awards of $100, $50 and $25, donated by the Two Twelve Arts Center.

The money collected from competing artists will be donated to Mercy Education Project, a nonprofit in Detroit that provides assistance for girls and women who have experienced hardship such as homelessness and abuse. Donations will be made in memory of Sr. Gretchen Elliot, a sister of Campau who was a fellow artist and Sister of Mercy.

Once the winners are chosen, an artists’ reception will be held on June 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the center’s new location, 216 West Michigan Ave. The show will then move to the Saline District Library for the month of July.

With its Artist of the Month Series, the Two Twelve Arts Center highlights works by local artists and encourages the public to purchase their pieces. This nonprofit foundation also holds classes, camps, and performances for the purpose of enriching the cultural life of Saline.

Christine Chun is an intern at AnnArbor.com. Have a community news tip? Email community@annarbor.com.