In connection with its new LEEDS Certified Operations Center under construction on Commerce Center Drive in Tarboro, Piedmont Natural Gas will sponsor an employee art contest, May 15- June1, which will feature both Tarboro and nature.

"We realize Tarboro was chartered in 1760, it has a lot of history," said spokeswoman Amber Lineback. " A Tarboro theme will be of particular interest to the judges of the contest, who will be a selection committee from the Tarboro office. We did not limit the entries to Tarboro themes, because we have approximately 1,800 employees, in three states, who are eligible to enter, so we said the entries also could focus on nature."

Lineback said two Tarboro Web sites were given to employees, with entry information, to encourage the Tarboro theme (httop://www.historictarboro.com and http://www.tarboro-nc.com).

"The focus should be on nature, with the use of colors inspired by nature," Lineback said. "We asked the employees to use natural, recycled, reclaimed and refurbished products to create the art. Also, there should be a good use of sunlight and model an efficient use of water and general energy efficiency."

"We will accept two or three dimensional pieces of art," she added, "such as multi-media, sculpture, fiber art, and photography. Basically, we will consider any art that can be hung on a wall, or placed on a table or pedestal."

When it is submitted, artists will be allowed to make a statement about their art, such as their primary medium, title, or inspiration; as well as explain what the art means to them, what they want people to know about their creation, or why art is important.

"We don't want to stifle any creativity," Lineback said. "We are practicing the art of inclusion."

She said the artists will also be asked to loan their art to the new Operations Center for 12 months, or to make it a permanent donation.

"The art will be on display in the corporate office until July when the selection committee will come from Tarboro for the judging," Lineback explained. "During the judging, the committee will see only the description of the piece, they won't see the name or location of the artist. The employees will decide the art they want to be surrounded by."

The new Piedmont Natural Gas Operations Center will serve 1,500 customers in Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson, Halifax, Northampton, Hertford, Bertie, Martin and Pitt counties.