DOOR DECORATING CONTEST
In celebration of our 11th year kickoff, Malden Reads is inviting the community to participate and celebrate together, while staying safe at home.
This year’s book, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, is the popular comedian’s memoir telling about growing up in South Africa during and following the time of apartheid, born to a Black mother and white father (a “crime” punishable by a prison sentence of five years). Noah’s experiences are told with humor and perspective, and we find parallels from his story about South Africa’s reckoning with racism to here in the United States. Read why we chose Born a Crime in this Neighborhood View article
For our 2021 Malden Reads kickoff, we invite members of the Malden community to decorate your front door, wherever you may live – in a house, apartment, condominium, etc.! The contest will run from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day until the end of February, to encompass all of Black History Month. Doors should be decorated reflecting these themes from Born a Crime:
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- Community
- Racial equity and social justice
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- Cross-cultural friendships
- Humor and its healing powers
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- Global awareness
- Global hip-hop
Best door decoration – Winners!
Best door decoration — kindergarten: Sean
Best door decoration — early elementary: Owen and Andrew
Best door decoration – 5th grade: Alina
Best OVERALL decoration: ROBIN INMAN
Contest Details
While we hope that everyone will read Born a Crime and the companion books for younger readers, this is not a requirement to participate in the contest. Participants may choose other historical images or other creative expressions of the themes listed above if they have not read the books.
Participants will need to cover most of their door, and can use paint, paper, wrapping paper, cardboard, magic markers, or other art supplies. (While we encourage different forms of creativity, please remember to use supplies that will not cause damage to your door!) If you need supplies, please contact maldenreads@gmail.com , and we can make arrangements for you to pick up construction paper and markers, free of charge.
Here are the steps to enter the contest:
Submit a photo of your door online to the MATV/UMA “digital wall” by following instructions posted at https://matv.org/maldentogether2/wall/. Entries need to include the hashtag #MaldenReadsDoorContest. We welcome photos of your proposed designs and decorations, and “before” pictures, as well as photos of the completed door; please specify what you’re submitting.
Email maldenreads@gmail.com with your street address and door photo. If you are entering the kids categories, also tell us your children’s ages/grade level. (Note: We’d love to see all your doors, but only people currently living in Malden will be entered into the contest.)
Most Creative
Most humorous
Best overall (most closely meets the themes from Born a Crime listed above)
Kids categories:
PreK and younger
Kindergarten–grade 3
Grades 4–6
Grades 7–9
Grades 10–12
Doors will be judged in these categories. With the exception of the kids categories, all the other categories are for adults and families working together. (The kids categories are for kids who work without adult support.)
Winners will be selected by consensus among representatives of the following: Malden City Council, Malden Reads, Malden Arts, North Shore Black Women’s Association, Inc.
Winners will receive a framed certificate during an upcoming City Council meeting as well as a copy of a Malden Reads book. The winning submissions will be featured on the Malden Reads website and social media.
Malden Reads would like to give a special thank you to the Malden High School Black Culture Club for hosting a contest at MHS last year, and because the experience was so special, we are launching our own take on the idea. Here are examples of some of the doors that students decorated at Malden High in February 2020: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTsAF5x. We look forward to seeing your beautiful photos — and your doors throughout the community!
