Mitford Museum offers contests to encourage creativity

Jul. 24—HUDSON — The Mitford Museum hosts a number of yearly events to inspire local young people to think creatively.

The Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award invites U.S. photographers up to the age of 18 to submit black and white photos based on the theme, "My Family." Distinguished jurors select the winner of a $5,000 grand prize as well as two runner-up prizes.

Candace Freeland (1952-2021), daughter of "Mitford" series author Jan Karon, was inspired by the legacies of photojournalism masters like W. Eugene Smith, Henri Cartier Bresson, and Dorothea Lange to launch her own award-winning photojournalism career, which included work with the Associated Press, the Charlotte Observer, U.S. News and World Report, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other leading journals.

Her photo exhibitions included Forced Out — The Agony of the Refugee in Our Time, sponsored by Amnesty International, and The Concerned Photographer, sponsored by the International Center of Photography. Freeland later moved to Hawaii, where she documented more than a thousand weddings, and later to a final residence in her beloved North Carolina mountains.

Freeland gave the founding gift for the Candace Freeland Photography of Excellence Award. The Mitford Museum is honored to carry forth her legacy of encouragement to young photographers through this heartfelt outreach to youth.

The goal with this contest, initially funded by Freeland's estate, is to offer a prize that can mean the difference between a young person pursuing their dream or giving it up.

The deadline to register for the Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award is Tuesday, Aug. 1. Finalists and the winner will be recognized at a reception on Friday, Sept. 29.

The Mitford Museum will also host GetLit!, its second annual literary weekend, on Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30. This two-day event focuses on inspiring, encouraging, and empowering writers to increase interest in reading and the literary arts.

The short story contest will include a youth and an adult category. Three finalists in each category will receive admission to all GetLit! events, and one winner in each category will receive a cash award of $750.

There will be presentations for both readers and writers with readings, book signings, and classes.

Participants are asked to adhere to the following guidelines:

Write a short story of no more than 1,500 words. For inspiration, read short stories by writers who have paid their dues like Eudora Welty, Zora Neale Hurston, and North Carolina native, O. Henry.

The contest is limited to authors who currently reside in the United States and are unpublished. You are considered published if you have received compensation for publication of a piece of fiction.

Stories should be written in a Word document using 12-point, Times New Roman font, and double spaced with standard margins. Include the title of the work but no other identifying information in the document.

Stories may be emailed to sthomas@themitfordmuseum.org as an attachment. In the body of the email, include your name, phone number, category (youth or adult), title of the story, and a brief 25-word biography.

Submissions are due by midnight on Friday, Sept. 1. No more than 50 entries in each category will be accepted. Winners will be announced during the GetLit! luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Participating authors include Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of "The Secret Book of Flora Lea;" Mark Powell, author of "Small Treasons," a Southern Living Best Book of the Year; Phoebe Zerwick, author of "Beyond Innocence," shortlisted for the Southern Book Prize in nonfiction; award-winning author Sarah Loudin Thomas, author of "The Finder of Forgotten Things;" and memoirists Gretchen Griffith and Sandra Warren. Author Jan Karon will also be on hand to present awards.

Contact Director Sarah Thomas at sthomas@themitfordmuseum.org for more details.

Additionally, The Mitford Museum will host candlelight tours starting Dec. 2.

Experience the glimmer and sparkle of The Mitford Museum decorated for Christmas. Bring the whole family to Hudson for the afternoon Christmas parade and stay for a unique museum experience. The Family and Mitford Rooms will be decked with candles, lanterns, and fragrant greenery. The air will be filled with holiday music. The community is invited to join as museum staff share a few of Jan Karon's happiest Christmas memories, with a special treat for the whole family next door at 3 Doors Down.

Tickets are $10 and are available for tour times between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Each time slot has a limited number of tickets.

The Mitford Museum recognizes that everyone has a story, and staff are there to ensure that these stories are appreciated by seeing, hearing, and supporting the community in a variety of ways.

See all the latest news from The Mitford Museum, 145 Cedar Valley Rd, Hudson, by going to www.themitfordmuseum.org/news-events, or call 828-572-4898 for more information.