Call for Art: Circuit Court Clerk, Jacqueline Smith Opens Annual Law Day Art Contest to Student Artists
Jacqueline Smith, the Clerk of Circuit Court, invites local artists to participate in her 5th Annual Law Day Art Contest. The contest is inspired by the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Law Day Theme, “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.”
The goal for the Clerk’s Law Day Art Contest is to provide an exciting and educational way for students to expand their understanding of justice within the framework of the Constitution while also encouraging civil discourse about the common good and the foundation of our democracy.
Every year in May, law professionals across the country observe Law Day to promote an understanding of the legal profession and the importance of law in society.
This year, the Law Day theme explores the role of individuals in the Constitution, which begins with the preamble, "We the People, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union." The preamble implies that our government's structure unites citizens as "one," bridging differences and bringing them together as a nation.
The Clerk of Circuit Court encourages all students in grades 1st-12th enrolled in private, home, and public schools in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park to submit artwork illustrating the American Bar Association’s theme “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.”
The artwork will be on display for public voting online and at the Prince William County Judicial Center from April 14 to April 25, 2025. The Clerk’s Office will host a Law Day ceremony on May 1 to present awards.
*For packet and guidelines for the Clerk’s 5th Annual Law Day Art Contest, please click here.
To sponsor awards for student artists participating in the contest, please contact Candi Choi at CChoi@pwcgov.org.
We are excited to showcase your student artwork in 2025! Please follow us on social media for updates @PWCCircuitCourt (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), Threads, YouTube).
Congratulations to the 2024 4th Annual Law Day Art Contest Winners:
Local Students Awarded at Circuit Court Clerk’s 4th Annual Law Day Art Contest Ceremony
Jacqueline Smith, Esq., Clerk of the 31st Circuit Court, held her 4th Annual Law Day Art Contest Award Ceremony on May 2nd, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Judicial Center's third floor atrium, where several students received prizes for their artwork.
Clerk Smith’s Annual Art Contest combines civics and art and offers local students an interactive way to illustrate decision-making and civil discourse. Law professionals across the country observe Law Day in May every year to promote a better understanding of the legal profession and the role of law in society.
This year, several students from the Prince William County Human Rights Student Leadership Council joined to deliberate as peer jurors for the contest.
The student jurors were captivated by the powerful “symbols of democracy, diversity, and people using their voices” in each artwork. They noted that the artists effectively conveyed the theme with their colorful and inspiring pieces.
Coinciding with the National Law Day theme “Voices of Democracy," an online public poll was taken and tallied. Winners were selected from four (4) categorical levels: high school, middle school, and two categories from elementary school.
First-place winners include:
Elementary School (1st–2nd grades): “The Supremes” by Huey W. (The Merit School of Prince William)
Elementary School (3rd–5th grades): “The Power of the People” by Kennedy M. (Kyle Wilson Elementary)
Middle School (6th–8th grades): “Hear Us!” by Lela N. (Manassas Park Middle School)
High School (9th–12th grades): “Hear Us” by Denise K. (Colgan High School)
The art will be exhibited at the Open Space Arts gallery in Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center from May 4th to May 26th, 2024.
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office extends gratitude for the schools and students who participated from Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. With special thanks to award sponsors, Cafe Pottery (A.C. Fun Factory), Bach to Rock, the ARTfactory, Uptown Alley, Prince William County Parks and Recreation, Open Space Arts, Crumbl Cookies -Bristow, Chick Fil A -Bristow, Merit School of Manassas and Prince William County, McKay Used Books.
Click on this coloring resources website for a fun way to encourage Law Day interest among younger students.
We are excited to showcase your student artwork in 2025! Please follow us on social media for updates @PWCCircuitCourt (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), Threads, YouTube).
Our offices are located on the 3rd floor of the Judicial Center located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110.