SALISBURY — Youth Substance Use Prevention Rowan Rowan (YSUP) has partnered with Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Rowan County Public Health, Healthy Rowan and the Center for Prevention Services for a reception to celebrate the creative talents of local students who participated in an anti-vaping art contest.

The reception is free and open to the public and will take place on Thursday, Jan. 18, from  5:30-7 p.m. at Waterworks Visual Art Center, located at 123 E. Liberty Street in downtown Salisbury. A pop-up gallery of the art will be on public display at the visual arts center from Jan. 8-27. 

The contest was initiated as part of YSUP’s commitment to promoting awareness about the dangers of vaping among area students and to foster a creative outlet for expression on that critical issue. High school students from Rowan-Salisbury Schools used their artistic talents to create thought-provoking pieces that communicate both the dangers of vape use and the importance of making informed choices about their own health.  

“We are thrilled to celebrate the artistic achievements of our local students who have used their  creative voices to speak out against the dangers of vaping,” YSUP Rowan Project Director Kristen Estepp said. “Through this contest, we hope to spark important conversations about the impact of vaping  on our community and empower our youth to make healthier choices.”  

The top three pieces of artwork, which will be revealed at the reception, were selected by a process that  included input from area students, various community partners, and an adult member of the local visual arts community. Posters of the winning entries will be displayed in Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Organizations or businesses that would like to display the posters may contact Estepp at kristen@ysuprowan.org.