I am participating in this We love the Art on Optimism. I am a teacher and at school I teach singing to the kids, many of them are very talented and start out very enthusiastic but as time goes by I get them and almost none of them continue with their artistic goal since they stumble upon the big web platforms 2 and its rules that ultimately prevent many from obtaining the resources that could produce a product of the art they perform. I have very, very little time to know Web 3 and the Superchain and I feel that I have discovered a treasure, since now I can tell my students that there is a very real opportunity that they can make a living from the art that their talent facilitates, and is that through the Web 3. I believe that I will also be able to fulfill my dream of performing my artistic talent and selling it directly from the creator to the collective. Of course this requires financing to be able to set up, for example, a recording studio, instruments, hardware and audio visual editing software among other operating expenses and that is why I am competing, this opportunity is not only mine but also that of my boys who They are waiting for support at the beginning of their artistic careers and that with me as support they would add a greater probability of success in their goals. I found out about competing here at the last minute and I was almost left out, but I managed to enter with two songs that perhaps with more time I'm sure I would have prepared something better. However, I hope to win first place if the jury deems it that way. Thank you @optimism for this opportunity and to the jury for the great work they are doing with the large number of participants. I wish you all success. These are the songs I am participating with: -> ALL I WANT IS OPTIMISM This song represents my love for the Optimism project and ecosystem. We are a warrior community that fights for its dreams, no matter the problems that arise in life, we always manage to face them and achieve our goals. Much love to the Optimism community and my musical warrior Christina. I recorded this song in my room using my cell phone and synchronized the music with the DJMusic program. My husband and brother helped me to do it. It took 6 days of effort and sacrifice, but it was worth it because it was a labor of love. https://gallery.manifold.xyz/optimism/0xb2026993936fbc877606212b408b0ae28e636554/1 -> FULL MOON This song transports us to the sounds of nature in the countryside, native animals, vegetation, morning and night dew, under the light of the full moon that covers us with its splendor. It invites us to live an experience that transports us for 3 minutes to a place of peace and harmony. With love to our Tío Simón and the Optimism community https://gallery.manifold.xyz/optimism/0x47b0a7f657b389da16caf0b3d3c8686fb3f673a3/1

Thanks for shedding some light on the judging process! It's amazing to see how far the space has come in the past number of years. I remember getting very stoked on the future of the intersection between web3 and music back when I watched one of your first interviews about Audius a few years ago. It really opened my eyes to the possibilities for creators to make a living from their art, and be directly supported by their fans. I've been extremely inspired by communities such as Sound.xyz, songcamp and wavWRLD which are helping creators to connect directly with collectors, web3 enthusiasts and other creators. I have also been a part of fwb since SZN1, and have been introduced to many amazing projects, events, communities and friends through that space. To say I am bullish on web3 music/communities would be a massive understatement. This is why I was so excited when I found out about the We<3TheArt contest. Not only does it align with the values of these communities I already love so much, but with the layer 2 gas fees, it's actually affordable to mint NFTs for so many! I'm super stoked to share my first ever minted NFTs with this community and the judges. With the prize money from this, I would like to invest more heavily in these communities which I'm already a part of, as well as into the web3 and crypto space as a whole. I would also put some funds towards gear to help with more content creation (such as camera and audio equipment). And lastly I would set aside some money to help pay for living expenses and other costs so I can focus full time on art and music for a sustained period of time. Good luck to all the artists who entered, and thanks for listening! Cheers, Van Andreas I Bought a Monkey was inspired by embracing the current technology. Using AI generated vocals to create a playful look at the views some may have in the crypto space (especially the NFT trading market). It also concludes with the words "spent it all on gas" as a nod to the sometimes ridiculous cost of using Eth, especially in the depths of a bull market. It speaks to the wild ride that is the crypto space, and the intense euphoria that can be associated with that. https://zora.co/collect/zora:0xf52fc44d30989d9495c1002165b6f5f76ecefe26/premint-1 Original Gangsta is an audio/visual project, created with the intention of reminding the viewer how humans and technological advances we make can grow and also simultaneously destroy the planet. With the vocal sample of Elon on Joe Rogan's podcast talking about humans as being "the original gansta" I decided to take that in the more literal sense, and in the video portrayed over time how the effect of the growth of humanity can be seen in relation to expansive nature that already exists. With flashes of garbage dumps and landfills coming in later, as things rewind backwards, it is meant to signify the backwards way of thinking we have developed around what is considered productive vs what is destructive. https://zora.co/collect/zora:0xbec91e088e35ac1247ee868a3593655f73d98f11/premint-1

woww you guys are frickin awesome for letting us know how this all works, lets go! https://zora.co/collect/oeth:0x663e6b95680f8f45cfaa0410fc40b2d63dc1ad8e/1 this track is honestly my favourite thing i've ever made, and i never would have made it if it wasnt for the contest so i guess i should thank you for the inspiration HA! but seriously, i would absolutely fly off the wall if i won. it would make my whole year, i would build a studio for myself like ive always wanted and let all my friends record there, and just jam out. id mint a bunch more nfts and start a discord too, i have so many friends that would love to talk about art and music all the time. optimism if you pick me you will SERIOUSLY make my whole world, holy moly!!! ok heres my other song love you all byeeee https://zora.co/collect/oeth:0x663e6b95680f8f45cfaa0410fc40b2d63dc1ad8e/2

Hello...nice you see you again. It's the mother & nature lover, back to share some more of myself with you guys. In answer to the question of what I would do with my winnings, if i were lucky enough to win: I would spend a lot of time getting much more familiar with cryptocurrency and NFTs as a whole. I'd really like to contribute in many ways but I'm just not quite sure what that looks like yet, so yeah. I'd learn how! I just want to build up other artists and support them, so maybe create a community where I could do that...yeah. Here are the links to my submissions just in case you need that...and once again, bless you all for having this friendly contest. there aren't enough ways for artists to show their stuff off in the world, so i just think its fantastic. Truly. I Love You: https://highlight.xyz/mint/659c0e7963f21afad4091440 Deepest Depths: https://highlight.xyz/mint/659c19c863f21afad4091442

Hey there! NIGHT BEGINS here, the creator of Cycles & Nebula. https://zora.co/collect/oeth:0x12c0317550298767ef7fff77ad12cd6c5d04a2e4/2 https://zora.co/collect/oeth:0x12c0317550298767ef7fff77ad12cd6c5d04a2e4/1 I've been into crypto for 3 full market cycles, and it's helped me massively in my life. Financially, mentally, & sure, even spiritually (in a crazy Matrix-esque, cyberpunk type way haha). It's taught me to be resilient, to take risks, and to look toward the future with optimism (cheeky). If I were to win, I would reinvest a significant amount back into the Web3 & decentralized space. I want to create my own NFT project, and support other artists in the space by purchasing & sharing their work. It's all cyclical, when one wins we all win. I'd also cash some out to allow myself to be free and make art...the two most important things in the world to me. Just wanted to say I really appreciate the opportunity to share my with art with you all, and I truly hope you enjoyed judging it as much as I enjoyed making it. Thank you <3

Hiyaa, GM everyone. My entry is called “MAPAMI” (Don’t kill me) This entry speaks so much about inner beauty and self love. With 10 years professional music experience both on chain and off chain, If i become a winner I’ll actively introduce the first optimism web3 Afrobeat music Community, which has been active on discord for more than a year now. With the help of this funding I’ll improve the community engagement and launch our new NFT marketplace here on optimism. My entry Mapami produced by an award winning producer (shuga) who has produced the likes of Wizkid, and Davido, fully produced this freshly minted entry https://gallery.manifold.xyz/optimism/0x907ac1dde21852d2f3f34eebd90f63157fc08bcd/1 https://gallery.so/welovetheart/2c9EyTDYTTQfwyTeXZOl5MBZNAl/2bT2G43lMH6wX6obwuX3XXQ17e7 Finally I’m happy to share that if i win I’ll massively improve the use of web3 music on optimism by actively onboarding and educating web2 Artists into building careers on web3 (optimism). A decentralized community has been actively engaged to ensure this is acquired. Dakolee

Hiya....My entry was called: ' Book 3. The 4th of jewel eyes '. Well I couldn't find it here! Also uploading was a disaster. I hope I was considered. If I am winner champion. I will finish this Book 3, & also book 2 & 1. https://zora.co/collect/oeth:0x259ea523ea7005c57958459858f1146258625927?sort=oldest Star Trailer

gm gm! A bit late to the party here but wanted to drop a comment on my submission. I've been making beats for over 10 years and just put my first beat onchain for this competition - https://zora.co/collect/zora:0xd1ab0cd14453326273da40519775b5f17e17aed5/1 I used Zora since it's a platform I love and I've been collecting a lot of art on (my main wallet it baatin.eth). I am curious to experiment with other platforms like sound.xyz for example when releasing some more music - ideally an EP with beats this year still. Regarding my submission I asked my good friend Samuel George an amazing designer to help me on the cover and it ties to the beat conceptually as a DBZ reference is used in the beat and was the starting point of the cover design. If I win any prize I will obviously be sharing it with him! Winning a prize like this would basically give me some space to dedicate myself more to music again which is something I've had to put in a back burner to give priority to my career (software engineer). As a final note I just want to leave much love to OP and the whole ecosystem around it! It's insane to see all the the work paying off and to see the Superchain taking shape in front of our eyes this past year. Awesome to see prizes like this being distributed to artists, it's a really great and refreshing initiative, specially in a industry that has been plagued as we all know with so many scams/spam etc.. lfg, we love the art!

Hi Cooper and GM to everyone. Thanks 4 sharing the judging criteria. I have so many projects I want to do. Im very exited!!! I presented this work: https://zora.co/collect/zora:0xc90547c676e5b9b5e684d2d7902e940c6939f94c/1 Im kind of newbe, fascinated with this whole new concept of creation & community. Good luck to all the participant! <3 <3 <3

Hi Web3 mates!!! Many thanks for this update information! I am very excited to be part of this community! I invite you to get to know the music and video work with which I am participating in WE<3THEART and if you like, you can also mint it :) <3. I recommend watching it until the end to appreciate its transformation. Very excited to share that If I win, I am going to generate and produce new next level works for the Web3 community, to do onboarding within the Contemporary Art scene ecosystem and within Music industry in which I already work by several years. To promote the decentralization of artistic production and commercialization, and to bring all my experience and creativity to this amazing new generation of revolution. See you soon with Welovetheart ! good luck to all :D https://zora.co/collect/oeth:0x01b9724edf8295617c1ec99fd8e3708540ffbd26/1 Emilia Álvarez aka samuraitrocar :)

‪Closing the loop to share how I will continue my Guilds music project with prize money, if it is a winner in the Optimism W💙TA contest:‬ ‪- Re-record all eight guilds of the expanded piece in studio, again with ICon Arts Ensemble of Sibiu‬ ‪- Collab with my aunt (creator of Magic Eye cartoon) on pen and ink illustrations that capture the spirit of each guild‬ ‪- Audit + gas optimize the Meltable contract mechanism, so other artists and musicians can use it for onchain collaboration ‬Original submission: https://github.com/neodaoist/guilds888

Hi Cooper, thanks for clarifying how the judging process will work, and providing more info on what you are all looking for. My intention if I were to win the 1st or 2nd tier prizes, would be to cover the expenses that went into producing the collection. This would be all of the invoices related to production (mixing/mastering). Links to these expenses can be found here: [https://artmusic-io.notion.site/Expenses-Hours-f74e8366369c41878ce6acfd42faf373?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/Expenses-Hours-f74e8366369c41878ce6acfd42faf373?pvs=21) With the remaining money, I would create a production fund that would be spent on production related expenses for future NFTs, so that I can hire more musicians for the next web3 project, pay them upfront, and continue to make modern classical art music NFTs. I fronted the cost of production with my personal savings, hoping I could make the money back when the NFTs sold. Additionally, my musician friends who recorded on this album agreed to get paid when the NFTs sold. The 0xSplits payout contracts can be found here: https://app.splits.org/accounts/0xb8f963254D315B983d2c615Bf265D339a578FcdA/?chainId=10 My collection Here on Tour, and my specific entry to the contest, [The Evening Star, No. 1](https://hereontour.xyz/the-evening-star), and [Arria and Paetus, No. 2](https://hereontour.xyz/arria-and-paetus), was an experiment to see if there is a new business model that is possible for this kind of music. I deeply believe in the technology, and want to see other classical contemporary musicians making money from the sale of their work. I hope to bring visibility to my corner of the industry and if I were to win, use it as a case study to share with the web2 world what is possible when blockchain is integrated with classical contemporary music! Thanks again for pioneering this burgeoning field and helping to facilitate such an incredible opportunity. Niles Luther

Sweet so stoked thanks! - MmmCherry

Hi Cooper Good to know about judging criteria. I submitted an instrumental piece named as "Nostalgia for String Orchestra" (https://zora.co/collect/oeth:0xa9e2117c52c77c84d7ed7fa6756ca7c14572de86/1). This is my first mint onchain. I have never been in web3, and a friend recommended to participate in the contest. I found it very interesting to release my works onchain. If I win the tiers 1 or 2 prize, I will record my works in better studios (or maybe have my studio if it is possible) and mint them onchain to get more audience. Unfortunately, because of rush to submit the music in the last day of contest, I realized that I submitted a low-quality version of my file (I think the conversion process was not went appropriately). However, I will mint the high-quality file if I win the prize. Thank you for giving us this great opportunity.

Hello Cooper Thanks for detailing the process, I have proposed this submission https://www.sound.xyz/mathiasdurand/larbre-part-1 I am new on the community, a friend recommended and it is thus my first mint. I would love to mint more and expand on the Op and Sound plateformes as I see in them fantastic alternatives to mainstream diffusion channels for music. It is very inspiring to me, as well as concepts I encountered here (specially the solarpunk) I have a lot of unpublished music that I would aim at finalizing with the help of any prize coming, and mint them here, starting with the part 2 of l’arbre, the submission I created for the contest. I will also want to work with a développer on an idea for creating musical nft’s that would be more than musical piece, and integrate unique and collaborative perspectives It is very exciting to encounter the Nft world, I would love to develop my art and creation in this direction, in addition with live concert and interactive installation that I already do. It seems very meaningful to enter the world of minting and Nft with a tree (arbre in french), I hope it grows well and provides wonderful fruits for the community. Thank you all for the support and wonderful propositions All the best

Hey Cooper, great to know a bit more about the process and encouraging to see the structure. I submitted Okay Okay (https://www.sound.xyz/acutek/okay-okay) right when the competition launched and then Sunset Serenade collab with Vivid Fever Dreams (https://www.sound.xyz/acutek/acutek-and-vivid-fever-dreams-sunset-serenade).  If successful, I'd spend the grant money on visiting Devon Analogue Studio which is one of the top electronic music studios in the UK that I've wanted to visit for over 5 years but never been able to afford it and then mint all the work onchain. I'd also like to improve the acoustics in my home studio and run IRL workshops in Scotland to help onboard and teach people about onchain music and how to get involved.  Thanks for taking the time to read this and hope you enjoy all the music sent in my the community. 

Brenna here 🪷 thanks for sharing the judging criteria, I appreciate the randomness of it. My submission is ‘I thought I was enough’ https://t.co/q543StK8dk I will use the funds to finish the Wide Feels, a Collector Created Comic which is inspired by my latest album ‘Wide Eye Feels’ released April 2023. The end goal of this project is to put 50% of comic sales towards Psychedelic & Mycoremedaiton research. Right now I’m focusing on telling the story of Gaia @widefeels through art and language. Once the NFTs launch at SXSW the 49 collectors and I will finish the MVP of the comic. I thought I was enough speaks to me on a level that’s hard to put into words. I recently left a long term relationship that I thought would be my forever. The heaviness of this is weighing on me like nothing I’ve ever experienced. This song has helped me alchemize these emotions for something greater than the pain ❤️🪷

We ❤️ The Art judging is underway! 755 Music submissions in total 🤯 - Feb 1st - 15th: Round 1 - Feb 12th - 15th: Round 2 & Round 3 - Feb 16th: Top 17 Livestream on @unlonely - Feb 19th: Winners announced Full details 🔽 https://paragraph.xyz/@coopahtroopa.eth/whta-music