The Montana Meth Project's 'Paint The State' art competition is underway, and the deadline for entries is July 15.

Briar Ahlborn entered the competition five years ago with help from her late father, and is redoing her project in his memory.

"I did it when I was 14 and my dad encouraged me to go for it," Ahlborn said. "I got a postcard in the mail, and even though I wasn't very artistic, my dad talked me into doing it and I really enjoyed it. This year, even if not for the competition, I probably would have redone the billboard anyway to cover up my past work," she laughed.

Ahlborn stands behind the message in the 'Paint The State' project...not even once.

"Here on the reservation, meth is a little more well known," she said. "So, doing this competition for anyone around Montana. It seems to have a much higher effect on a person's brain. It's highly dangerous and crazy. Meth seems to be the most dangerous and hazardous of anything out there and it has a more addictive high than any other drug."

According to a news release from the Montana Meth Project:

Participants are encouraged to submit videos, artwork/photography or outdoor/monument/sculpture.  Submissions will be judged by a Celebrity Panel and through a People's Choice online voting process.  A total of $30,000 in cash prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the competition!

Paint the State 2015 will build on the success of the 2006 and 2010 contests, when teens all over Montana created more than 1,000 works of art that blanketed nearly 30,000 square feet - the largest public art contest in history. Entries appeared on buildings, buses, and even on sheep and cows across the state.

Registration is open for individuals age 12 or older, or teams of four. One submission per person or team is allowed. The submission period ends July 15, and voting begins August 1. Winners will be announced on September 18.

A Celebrity Panel will select winners and award $7,500 to the top submission in each of the following categories: Video, Outdoor/Sculpture, and Artwork/Photography.  The general public will vote online for the People's Choice awards in each category as well. People's Choice winners will receive $2,500.

Artwork must be clearly visible to the public from July 16 - September 15, whether online or in a public location. Full details for submissions are available at MontanaMeth.org/PTS.

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