Contests spotlight creativity Published April 8, 2016 By Steve Warns AFCEC Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- Budding photographers and artists can enter the 2016 Photo and Art Contest, sponsored by the Air Force Services Activity. Authorized patrons of force support squadron programs are eligible to participate in the Air Force SVA promotions and contests. Winning entries in each category can earn gift cards in amounts of $300 for first place; $200 for second; and $100 for third. Another contest feature includes a people's choice, where visitors can go to www.myairforcelife.com/arts/ and choose their favorite photos. A virtual ribbon will be awarded in each category for photos with the most likes, similar to Facebook, said Sandy Hillard, the community and leisure branch chief, Air Force SVA programs directorate. Photo contest "My Air Force Life in Focus" is this year's theme for the photo contest, which will be accepting submissions May 1-30. The contest is divided into adult and youth categories. Adult will have novice and accomplished subcategories, and youth will feature teens, ages 13-17; pre-teens, ages 9-12; and children ages 6-8. Participants can submit up to three entries via www.myairforcelife.com/arts/ during the contest period. This year's contest is a departure from what Air Force SVA has done in the past, Hillard said. "We were tasked by (the Air Force SVA commander) to come up with a new, innovative way to have a gallery," she said. "We were looking to spice things up. To make it more competitive, we added more age groups." Since 2005, Air Force SVA has sponsored an online gallery featuring participants' work. Last year, approximately 650 participants submitted 1,600 pieces, and everyone received recognition, Hillard said. Three photography experts will serve as judges, to evaluate and score entries based on creativity, impact and technical proficiency, Hillard said. Art contest This year's theme is "Happy Birthday Air Force." Submissions will be accepted Sept. 1-30, with winners announced Nov. 1. Submissions can consist of digital, drawings, paintings, ceramic, mixed media, fiber, glass and wood art, said Jon Grammer, the Air Force SVA director of programs. Submission guidelines for the art contest will be released when they become available. "What it boils down to is to acknowledge the heritage and long history of the Air Force through their perspective," Grammer said. "The thought was to encourage artists to give a visual representation of the Air Force's 69th birthday."