[Past Event]A day in the loop: submissions

This is your chance to show what life here looks like by capturing the spirit of our region—its people, places, and everyday stories—through photography, video, writing, or other art forms. What story do you want to tell about this moment in time and place?

Selected works will be chosen by curators Autumn Joi Ellis, winner of the Butler Institute of American Art’s Midyear Prize; Tony Nicholas, photographer and YSU and TCTC faculty member; Thomas Welsh, author of books of local history; and Stephen Poullas, photographer and former owner of the Soap Gallery in downtown Youngstown.

The chosen works will be published and archived on LOOP Youngstown’s website, creating a shared snapshot of life in the region. You can submit up to two pieces, either on your own or with a group (think class projects, clubs, or creative friends teaming up). All you need to do is pre-register to join in.

Rules

• Curators will select work that represents a slice of life in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys on one day only.

  
  

• Eligible participants must live in Mahoning, Columbiana, Trumbull, Mercer and Lawrence Counties.

  
  

• Eligible photographs, videos and stories will be taken/written in one of those counties on Friday, October 17, 2025 between 12:01am and 11:59 pm.

  
  

• The deadline for submitting photographs, videos and stories is Sunday, October 19 by 11:59 pm.

  
  

• Each individual or group is limited to one or two submissions, total, in any genre; for example, one poem plus one video, or two photographs, or one mini essay. 

  
  

• All work must be original and created by the person/group submitting.

  
  

• Photo editing software may be used on original images.

  
  

• AI-generated content is not eligible.

  
  

• Selected work will be appropriate for viewers of all ages.

  
  

Submission Guidelines

• Photography: images taken on any device are eligible for submission. Images taken in private, indoor spaces must include permission of all visible individuals. Please include a few sentences about the image. For example: My brother and his friends play hoops in my neighborhood every Saturday. Or, My favorite pastry shop is run by the nicest people. Or, We have lost another house on my street. Or, Today my best friend is getting married.

  
  

• Video essay: limit 3 minutes. Videos taken in private, indoor spaces must include permission of all visible individuals.

  
  

• Writing: limit 250 words. Describes something that is happening in real time.

  
  

• Other art media: eligible work has been completed in a single day. Submit a photograph of the work, along with other information about the size and media.

More questions? See our FAQ below.

A Day in the LOOP is made possible in part by funding provided by The Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley and an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

FAQ

Q: Am I supposed to document my entire day?

A: Not unless you want to! The idea behind this project is to tell a collective story of October 17 by weaving together moments from many different people. That could mean snapping just one meaningful photo, writing a short reflection, or creating something more extensive. If you do spend the whole day documenting, you’ll just choose your two favorite pieces to submit.

Q: What if I take 50 photos on Oct. 17th? 

A: There's a limit of 2 submissions per person. So feel free to take as many photos as you want within the 24-hour period. Then pick your favorite 2 to submit. 

Q: What exactly do you mean by 12:01 a.m. Friday?

A: That’s just after midnight—technically late Thursday night or very early Friday morning, depending on how you think about it.