Whether it’s in art, nature, or society, nothing creates excitement and interest like an unexpected juxtaposition. Think of a quiet corner in the midst of urban chaos, a waterfall tucked into a suburban cul de sac, a modern Frank Lloyd Wright house on a southern plantation, a red-rock canyon desert winding out of a village in Provence, a rollicking Irish pub inserted into a former Catholic church, a snow-capped peak fit for sledding on a tropical island…

The idea for this contest is to write about any place where you discovered a surprising cultural or natural contrast—we’re leaving it wide open to your interpretation.

The winners will travel to Chicago and explore and write about the city’s vibrant collection of neighborhoods—a living gallery of beautiful and ever-changing juxtapositions. » Get the details