West Michigan Art Competition

The 37th Annual LowellArts West Michigan Art Competition highlights outstanding artwork by Lower West Michigan artists who reside in a 25-county region. Artwork in any visual art media can be submitted by artists 18 yrs. and older. Five equal cash awards totaling $3000 are presented. Artists may submit one piece for consideration by the juror.

Schedule

• On-line Entries Accepted: December 8, 2022 to February 1, 2023
• Deadline for Entries: February 1, 11:59pm
• Notification of Acceptance: February 24
• Drop-Off of Accepted Work: March 15, 16, 17, 10am-6pm and March 18, 12-5pm
• Exhibit Dates: March 25 – May 6, 2023
• Pick-up of Accepted Work: May 9, 10, 11, 12, 10am-6pm

Prizes

Five equal cash awards totaling $3000 are presented.

Juror

Amy Fell is a Contemporary Realist Oil Painter who works out of her studio in Plymouth, Michigan. Her work features every day objects using large scale format, intense color and intricate detail to create captivating paintings that draw the viewer in. Fell studied oil painting extensively at the Bloomfield Art Center, along with participating in numerous workshops with internationally recognized artists including Alyssa Monks, David Gray and Yigal Ozeri. Her studies prepared her to teach oil painting herself at the Grosse Pointe Art Center, The Northville Art House as well as taking on private students. Fell has participated in groups shows, presented several solo shows, and been juried into countless juried shows in which she has won numerous awards for her work. Along with receiving commissions regularly, Fell’s work is carried in galleries in Northville and Douglas, Michigan.

Artwork Requirements

Only original works completed in the last three years and not previously exhibited at LowellArts are eligible. Commercial reproductions, including giclée prints, will not be accepted. Traditional print media, photography, and digital art should be from a limited edition. 2-Dimensional entries may be no larger than 62 inches in any one direction, including the width of the frame. 3-Dimensional entries must fit through a standard door frame and be no larger than 62 inches in any one direction. Only artwork easily handled by two people will be accepted.

Entry Procedure

All entries must be submitted digitally through the www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ) website. There is no cost to register on CaFÉ, but it is required. Video entries may not be submitted. Deadline for entry is February 1, 2023 at 11:59pm MT.

Digital Images

Digital image files must conform to the requirements as listed on the CaFÉ site. All entries require that the title, media, and dimensions be listed. Incomplete entries will not be juried. Accepted works that differ dramatically from the submitted images may be refused at the discretion of LowellArts staff. LowellArts will offer technical assistance on applying through CaFÉ to artists as needed, by appointment. Contact 616-897-8545 or info@lowellartsmi.org.

Notification of Acceptance

Artists will be notified on February 24 via email if their piece was accepted for the exhibition. Awards will be announced after April 3. Artists with accepted entries will be provided an identification label at the time of drop-off to affix to the back of their piece.

Delivery

All accepted entries must be hand-delivered or shipped to: LowellArts, 223 W Main St, Lowell, MI 49331. The LowellArts Gallery is located in historic downtown Lowell at the corner of Broadway and Main Street. For hand-delivery, accepted artwork must arrive at LowellArts on March 15, 16, 17, 10am-6pm and March 18, 12-5pm. Shipped works must be prepaid and arrive by Friday, March 17. For shipped work, please include a prepaid return shipping label with the entry. All packing and shipping costs are the responsibility of the artist.

Entry Conditions

• Artwork must be ready for presentation upon delivery. All hanging works should be framed and fitted with secure hanging wire.
• Fabric wrapped canvases are allowed and do not require additional framing. Frames with exposed glass edges are not acceptable.
• Saw tooth hangers are not permitted. Entries must be dry, completely assembled, framed, matted, or mounted.
• Multiple panel pieces (diptychs, triptychs, etc.) cannot exceed 62 inches in any one direction once installed.
• 3-dimensional entries that hang must have adequate hanging hardware or hanging system.
• Work requiring special handling or installation will be accepted only at the discretion of LowellArts.
• Unsuitably prepared, hazardous, unstable, or extremely fragile works will be declined.
• If you are unsure about your work conforming to these conditions, please contact LowellArts at info@lowellartsmi.org before entering.

Entry Fee

Artists may submit one piece only. The fee for entry is $35. LowellArts Members and Students over 18 with a college ID receive a discounted entry fee of $25. Members and students should call 616-897-8545 to receive their discount code before entering. Memberships need to be active through May of 2023 to receive the discount. Refunds cannot be provided after entry. Entry fees help fund prizes for the competition, as well as programs and services provided by LowellArts.

Art Sales

Accepted artwork must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit. LowellArts requires a 30% commission on all artwork sold during the exhibition. If the work is not for sale, please indicate “0 (zero)” for value on entry form. The artwork will be labeled as “NFS” – not for sale.

Pick-up

Accepted entries must remain in the exhibition through May 6, 2023. Artists may pick up accepted work in person May 9, 10, 11, 12, 10am-6pm. Artists must call ahead to authorize someone other than themselves to pick-up their work, otherwise artwork will not be released to anyone except the artist. Artwork not picked up at the designated times will be considered abandoned and become the property of LowellArts. Shipped artworks will be sent back in the packing materials they arrived in. Return of shipped artwork will begin May 12. Shipment costs are the responsibility of the artist.

Application Requirements

Application Requirements

Artists may submit ONE PIECE in any medium for consideration by the juror. At least 2 images, or up to 4 images, of the SAME PIECE should be submitted for review.

1) Required - Submit one image of the piece in its entirety. (If applicable, do not include the picture frame in this image.)

2) Required - Submit a second image, of the same piece, with a common household object to illustrate scale. (Suggested objects include: dollar bill, soda can, or ruler. Place object in the bottom left-hand side of the image. If applicable, include picture frame in this image.)

3) If desired, submit a third image. (Third image only needed to highlight details in texture or to show an alternate angle of the piece.)

4) If desired, submit a fourth image. (Fourth image only needed to highlight additional details in texture or to show an alternate angle of the piece.)

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

The West Michigan Art Competition is open to all visual art media by artists 18 yrs. and older who reside in one of the eligible West Michigan counties. Eligible lower West Michigan counties include: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Saint Joseph, and Van Buren.