SEIU partnered with Manifest Hope: DC, MoveOn PAC and Obey Giant to launch a nationwide online contest last month to gather the best artwork celebrating the grass roots campaign that helped elect Barack Obama as president.

The 15 winning entries-- selected from a pool of over 1,000 submissions--have been announced. These works of art, inspired by the themes of health care reform, workers' rights and a green economy, will join the high profile exhibit currently on display in Washington, DC for the week of the Presidential Inauguration. The winning images were selected by a panel of judges including acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey, who created the iconic Obama "HOPE" image, and SEIU 775NW Healthcare President David Rolf.

>> View all 15 winning entries here.

If you're going to be the DC are this weekend, the 120 amazing pieces of art on display in this gallery are definitely worth seeing in person. Popular local blog DCist seconds this sentiment in their Arts Agenda coverage:

If you hit one art show this weekend, it should be ManifestHope:DC, an enormous group art show organized by MoveOn.org, SEIU, and Obey Giant...Held at the large 3333 M Street NW location in Georgetown, about 100 artists, who won their spot through a contest, will show their political work focused on one of three areas: Health Care Reform, Workers Rights, or The Green Economy. See notable local names such as Tim Conlon, Tim Tate, Decoy, Billy Colbert and Lisa Marie Thalhammer during the opening hours, Saturday through Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit the website for more information at www.manifesthope.com.

SEIU is hosting the Change That Works open art exhibit at its International headquarters in Washington, DC from January 19 through January 22. The works of art to be displayed were commissioned by acclaimed street artist Shepard Fairey, who created the iconic Obama "HOPE" image.

The exhibit shines a spotlight on artists across the country who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grass roots movement for social justice and political action--many of whom were the winners and finalists of MANIFEST HOPE's previous contest during the Democratic National Convention that helped spread the word about Barack Obama and the inspirational themes of his candidacy. (You can view artwork of the Denver contest finalists--previewed below--at MoveOn.org)

To celebrate the unveiling of the Change That Works art exhibit, SEIU will host a special reception in the exhibit space at 1800 Mass Ave from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 19th . This reception is open to all SEIU staff, leaders and community political partners (RSVP to seiu-change@seiu.org if you'd like to attend).

On a sidenote: A limited-edition print designed by Shepard Fairey in honor of President-elect Obama's Inauguration is now available for purchase on the Presidential Inaugural Committee's website for $100.00. A run of only 10,000 numbered prints have been made of this special illustration commemorating the Inaugural occasion. Fairey's new design can be viewed and purchased by visiting the PIC online store here.

Nationwide Call for Artwork Submissions Highlighting Heath Care Reform, the Green Economy and Workers' Rights.

SEIU, MoveOn PAC, and Obey Giant are partnering with Manifest Hope:DC in launching a nationwide contest to gather the best work celebrating the grass roots campaign that helped elect Barack Obama as president. The contest is calling for entries of visual artwork that use positive messaging to convey the importance of encouraging a national dialogue focused on heathcare reform, the green economy and workers' rights. Five pieces in each of the three categories will be selected and reviewed by a panel of judges to include famed artist Shepard Fairey, film director Spike Lee, SEIU 775NW Healthcare President David Rolf and many more.

Entries for submission to this inspiring visual call-to-action are due by January 9. The artwork of the fifteen contest winners will be publicly displayed to DC area residents and the 2 million people expected to gather in Washington for Barack Obama's upcoming inauguration from Friday, January 16th, 2009 through Monday, January 19th, 2009. The exhibit will be showcased at Manifest Hope:DC (3333 M Street N.W., Washington, DC).

Art played an unprecedented role in this election--most of us will never forget many of the arresting visual images created by artists who dedicated themselves to helping spread Obama's prevailing message of Hope everywhere in our country and abroad. Help to capture and maintain the energy we have experienced in Barack Obama's momentous climb to the White House by spreading the word about this contest or submitting an entry.

This online contest offers artists the opportunity to make one submission per category, totaling a maximum of three submissions:

* Manifest Opportunity - Stimulating The Green Economy
* Manifest Change - Health Care Reform
* Manifest Unity - Protecting Workers' Rights

This will be the second art contest for Manifest Destiny in the last year, building on the success of the gallery showcase at the Democratic National Convention that helped spread the word about Barack Obama and the inspirational themes of his candidacy. (You can view artwork of the Denver contest finalists at MoveOn.org)

For more information, visit Manifest Hope:DC online at http://www.ManifestHope.com