Sunrise photograph at Neptune Beach, FL
by Harriet Pruette
Yellow Edition Jax
An art magazine bringing light, created by the art organization A City of Expression
Green Edition Jax 2027
The Vision: A Global "Olympics of the Arts"
A City of Expression believes we can foster global peace through the Jacksonville Sister Cities Association's Young Artists and Authors Showcase (JSCA YAAS) by spearheading the efforts of all Sister Cities International (SCI) affiliate organizations.
JSCA would create a working model for the winners of its 2027 YAAS art competition, with their art to be unveiled in a 2028 online art magazine updated annually or possibly more frequently. This would present the youth's solution for the art theme while raising awareness and funds for JSCA.
By launching a network of online art magazines, Sister Cities affiliates can document the entire creative process of participating youth—using photos, videos, interviews, and reviews. Since the April 2026 Jacksonville Sister Cities Association's Young Artists and Authors Showcase (JSCA YAAS) deadline has passed, our goal is to build a pilot model for the 2027 JSCA YAAS competition, culminating in a global "Green Edition 2027" (locally titled "Green Edition Jax 2027").
This project aims to increase contest entries, raise awareness, and generate ad revenue for the Jacksonville Sister Cities Association (JSCA), while serving as a blueprint for SCI affiliates worldwide.
How It Works & Next Steps
To make this vision a reality for the 2026–2027 school year, we need to activate a local-to-global network:
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School Integration: We are urging SCI to release the 2027 YAAS theme early so Jacksonville-area art teachers can build the contest into their Fall 2026 lesson plans.
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Student Collaboration: JSCA Volunteer Coordinators will partner with local teachers to recruit student web designers. These volunteers will build the digital magazine network as part of their own real-world learning to become a guide for all SCI affiliates.
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Fair Judging: We will establish a standardized, transparent judging process to effectively elevate and celebrate the area’s (and then world's) best young artists.
Form Follows Function
This initiative is managed entirely by JSCA, not A City of Expression. However, it will adapt A City of Expression’s proven magazine framework—blending youth artwork and artist interviews with display advertising as magazine sponsors—to ensure the project is both culturally rich and financially sustainable.
Get Involved
We need your ideas to ensure this project runs smoothly, fairly, and successfully for our youth. To share your thoughts on shaping the Jacksonville regional contest, please email us at YellowEditionJax@gmail.com in addition to contacting the JSCA President at president@jsca.org.
Together, let's honor the Sister Cities motto: "Peace Through People.” We need the local-to-global SCI YAAS competitions to grow and create a lasting “Olympics of the Arts!”
Text on this page was edited from wording created by Google Gemini
