"An Artistic Discovery"

Annual Art Competition in the 12th Congressional District of Illinois

Guidelines

ANY ART WORK THAT IS CONSIDERED FOR THE GRAND PRIZE IN THE 12th DISTRICT ART COMPETITION MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES

The competition is open to all high school students who reside in the 12th Congressional District of Illinois.

Size restrictions - including the frame.

• two-dimensional only
• art work can be no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches to the outside dimensions of the frame
• no more than 4 inches in depth
• cannot weigh more than 15 lbs. (new for 2009)

Art work categories are:

• paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
• collage: must be 2 dimensional
• prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
• mixed media
• computer generated art
• photography

A completed release form must be attached to each entry to hang in the show.

Each entry considered for the Grand Prize in the 12th District Art Competition must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any US copyright laws. Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photo, painting, graphic, advertisement or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.

The final decision regarding suitability for the grand prize art work from the 12th District Art Competition for the exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol.

The Grand Prize winning artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel for the entire year and cannot be returned early. (A T-shirt is given to the Grand Prize winner only)

The following are details regarding the Annual Congressional High School Art Competition, “An Artistic Discovery.”  Belleville Art on the Square will be hosting the 12th Congressional Competition in conjunction with their high school competition.

Each student will have the opportunity to enter one piece of art work into either the Congressional Competition or the Art on the Square's High School Competition or both competitions. The deadlines for both competitions are the same.

ENTRY PROCESS:

The Student Information/Release Form for “An Artistic Discovery” must be legibly completed in full and mailed to:

George Gasparich
335 Jubaka Drive
Fairview Heights, IL 62208

These forms must be received by Friday, May 1, 2009. A copy of the entry form must be attached to the back of the entry.

FRAMING GUIDELINES:

Entries must be framed to be hung in the Art on the Square show. Frames should be kept as simple as possible. All art work should be protected, preferably by plexiglass, and a "lightweight" frame. PLEASE NOTE: artwork to be considered for the Grand Prize entry must be no larger than 30 x 30 inches (including frame), 4 inches deep and should not weigh more than 15 pounds (including frame). Metal and "snap-on" frames are NOT recommended.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

May 8 through May 12 - entries may be dropped off at these businesses.

Hall of Frames
525 Lincoln Hwy
Fairview Heights, IL
624-4733

Gallery Gifts and Framing
12 South High St.
Belleville, IL
277-8473

Over the Edge Framing
4 Club Centre Ct.
Edwardsville, IL
655-0938

May 8 (Friday) and May 11 (Monday) only - Southern entries may be dropped off at:

US Congressman Jerry F. Costello
250 W Cherry St.
Carbondale, Illinois
(618) 529-3791

May 13, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm and May 14, 9:00 am - noon
entries may be dropped off at the display location:

Regions Bank atrium
19 Public Square
Belleville, Illinois

This is in downtown Belleville, on the Northwest corner of the town square (the fountain is in the middle of the town square). Access is through the parking lot off West "A" Street.

ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY:

May 15, 16, and 17, 2009

During fair hours, the Regions Bank atrium can be accessed through the doors that are behind the children's art activities.

“An Artistic Discovery” awards ceremony will be held on the main stage in front of the St. Clair County Building on May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

PRIZES TO BE AWARDED:

Grand Prize

• The Grand Prize winner may be eligible to receive a renewable $1,500 per year admission scholarship to a private college of art and design.
• The Grand Prize art work will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC for one year.
• The Grand Prize winner and one guest will be invited to attend the reception in Washington, DC on June 24, 2009.
• Three complimentary airline tickets to Washington, DC will be provided.
• Any additional cost to attend the awards ceremony in DC will be the responsibility of the winner.

Other prizes to be awarded:

• The Second Place and Third Place winning entries will hang in Congressman Costello's Belleville District office for one year.
• Honorable Mentions will be acknowledged for each category.

ARTWORK PICKUP:

Art work must be picked up from the exhibit at the close of the show on May 17, after 4:00 pm. No art work will be released before 4:00 pm.

It is your responsibility to make arrangements to pick up your artwork on May 17.

If you are interested in participating in this competition or have any questions, please contact Patsie Travelstead of my Belleville office at (618) 233-8026 or Cindy Evans of Belleville Art on the Square at (618) 530-6126.