Idaho Meth Project Announces Paint the State Winners

BOISE — The Idaho Meth Project recently announced the winners of Paint the State — a statewide public art contest that leverages the creativity and passion of Idaho’s young people to communicate the risks of methamphetamine use.

Hundreds of Idaho teens created more than 350 pieces of large-scale public artwork across Idaho’s 44 counties. Teens mobilized friends, families, and communities, leading teams that painted the sides of public buildings, hung banners along highways, decorated store front windows, constructed teepees, and built art cars. More than 125 community organizations participated in the creation of Paint the State artwork, including 4-H Clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, school organizations, and church groups.

“Paint the State was an incredible grassroots effort,” said Megan Ronk, executive director of the Idaho Meth Project. “Thanks to the commitment and creativity of Idaho’s teens, we have increased awareness of the Meth problem and demonstrated that everyone in the state has a role to play in helping us prevent methamphetamine use.”

“We were inspired to create something to show that people who use meth become chained to the drug,” said brothers Brock and Zack Bartlett of Twin Falls, the statewide grand prize winners. “We worked hard, for an important cause, but had a lot of fun.” Their winning sculpture, which was displayed prominently on the Twin Falls County Courthouse lawn, was a nine-foot steel and cement statue featuring two chained, oversized hands emerging from a boulder, with the logo “Meth: Not Even Once” etched onto its front side.

Paint the State winners were announced at a special awards ceremony hosted by state leaders, Paint the State sponsors, and the Idaho Meth Project. Community leaders, elected officials, Idaho Meth Project staff and volunteers, and contest participants and their families from throughout the state attended the event. The contestants’ artwork was showcased in a gallery of digital photos installed on the second floor of the Capitol. Governor and First Lady Otter announced the winners.

More than $135,000 in cash prizes was awarded, including $5,000 for the statewide winner, and county prizes of $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, $500 for third place. First Lady Otter also awarded a special First Lady’s Choice Award to Heather Callister of Bingham County for the billboard she created in Blackfoot reminding Idaho’s citizens that children are often the innocent victims of methamphetamine use.

In Bonner County, Sean Alhstrom, a student in the Lake Pend Oreille High School design class, received top honors. In second, was Kyler Healey and Hannah Griesemer was third.

In Boundary County, Taylor Dinning was first-place honor, Chase Dinning won second-place honors and Isaiah Botkin was third.

Paint the State is supported entirely through private contributions from individuals, companies, and foundations throughout Idaho. For a complete list of winners, please visit www.paintthestateidaho.org/gallery.

The Idaho Meth Project is a non-profit organization that implements a range of advertising and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use in the state. Launched in January 2008, the Idaho Meth Project leverages a proven model that combines extensive research with a hard-hitting, integrated media campaign. The Idaho Meth Project is affiliated with the Meth Project, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Palo Alto, California, aimed at significantly reducing Meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach.

Information: www.idahomethproject.org