(Jan. 4, 2018) The Coastal Association of Realtors is encouraging local teachers and students to participate in the annual Fair Housing Art Contest, which sends winning students to Annapolis for a meeting with the governor or other state official.

Sponsored by the Maryland Realtors, the contest is a means for Realtors across the state to help increase awareness of this important issue.

“Fair housing” pertains to the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale and rental of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. The contest aims to teach children that discrimination is not only wrong, but illegal.

The format of the Fair Housing contest has changed, in that winning submissions will be displayed in an informational fair housing brochure that will be distributed statewide to public libraries, housing counseling agencies and local Realtor associations.

The winning submissions were traditionally displayed in a calendar. Also, the contest is now open to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, and older students are permitted, and encouraged, to utilize computer graphic design programs such as Photoshop or Publisher.

Artwork submitted by students must illustrate this year’s contest theme, “Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.”

Coastal Association of Realtors will choose three local winners. These winners will receive Visa gift cards, courtesy of Coastal Association of Realtors.

Their entries will be forwarded to Maryland Realtors, who will choose nine submissions from across the state for inclusion in the Fair Housing brochure. The state winners will travel to Annapolis, where they will be honored.

Contest packets have been mailed to the principals and art departments of public and private schools in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Home schools, aftercare programs, churches and other children’s centers are encouraged to participate.

For a contest packet, contact Sarah Rayne, Government and Public Affairs director for CAR, at 410-641-4409 or sarah@coastalrealtors.org. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Feb. 16.

Last year’s top local winner, whose entry is featured in the 2017 Fair Housing Calendar, was Lindsay Birkhead-Morton. She traveled to Annapolis in April for a recognition ceremony at the Maryland State House where she received a certificate and gift card from Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford.