Dream City seeks visions old and new

   Art can change the world.
   It's not an original idea. But it's rare that the arts are used with the specific intent of inspiring transformation.
   That's the idea of behind the first phase of Dream City: Vision 2020, a new communitywide initiative designed to enlist as many local residents as possible to write the next chapter in our future. Behind this initiative are The Gazette, the Pikes Peak Library District, Leadership Pikes Peak, COPPeR (The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region), Quality of Life Indicators and other partners.
   Here's how it will work. We're encouraging kids and adults to consider what they want the Pikes Peak region, or some place within it, to be like in 2020. What is your Dream City?
   The results will be used to inspire community leaders and others to reshape the community. Can a single drawing, a single sculpture, a single poem, actually make an impact? We believe it can.
   But we also believe that to move forward, we need to understand our past. So we're also asking artists and writers young and old to create pieces that show something about our past.
   Fame and fortune await those who participate.
   The fame part we have covered. The best art pieces will be displayed in the Fine Arts Center Modern, on the pages of The Gazette, on the dreamcity2020.com Web site and other venues. The best essays and poems also will run in The Gazette and on its Web site.
   The fortune part, well, in this case, "fortune" is relative. Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center has donated 20 passes. The Gazette has kicked in some cash and 60 movie passes. And other individuals and organizations have vowed to give money and other prizes. (The Gazette will run updates and specifics about prizes in upcoming stories.)
   The contest will be divided into these categories:
   Traditional Visual Art: Draw. paint, sculpt, photograph or computer generate a piece that depicts your vision for the community of 2020 or a piece that depicts the past. All pieces should be submitted to Celebration Place in The Citadel mall.
  Performing Arts or Film: Create a piece of music, dance, or film that captures your vision for the community of 2020 or a vision of our past. All pieces should be submitted via YouTube link to dreambig@dreamcity2020.com. 
  Literature: Write a poem (200 words or fewer) or a piece of prose, or essay (500 words or fewer) about your hopes and visions for your community in the year 2020 or about the community's past. All pieces should be submitted electronically to dreambig@dreamcity2020.com.
   Warren Epstein is the arts and diversions editor and Dream City coordinator for The Gazette newsroom.

TO TAKE PART

Please find the entry forms at www.dreamcity2020.com or at any branch of the Pikes Peak Library District. Divisions: 12 and younger; 13-17; 18 and older. Deadline is Sept. 22.