Application Closed
Entry Fee (Entry Fee): $25.00
Media Fee(Additional Image Fee): $5.00
Images | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 4
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 4
Eligibility: National
State: Kansas
Event Dates: 10/4/24 - 12/21/24
The 2024 National Watercolor Exhibition is open to all artists living and working in the United States, both amateur and professional. We are happy to announce Baltimore Artist Matthew Bird as this year’s exhibition juror. The exhibition will be on view from October 4-December 21, in the Gladys and Karl T. Wiedemann Gallery at Mark Arts in Wichita, KS.
AWARDS
Mark Arts is proud to offer enticing cash awards to attract leading artists from across the country. $3,000 in Cash Awards will be awarded, including $1,500 for first place.
JUROR | MATTHEW BIRD
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Matthew graduated with honors from the Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn, New York, in 2000. He is a Signature Member of numerous organizations, including the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society, where he served as vice president. His award-winning watercolor paintings have been exhibited in juried shows across the United States, as well as in Canada, China, England, Greece, Hong Kong, and Italy. His work is in museums and private collections.
Matthew has been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine as one of “Today’s Masters” (Dec. 2020, Feb. & April 2019, Feb. & Oct. 2018), American Art Collector Magazine (Issue 158, 171), Watercolor Magazine as “One To Watch” (Dec. 2017), The Artist’s Magazine (July/August 2017), The Art Of Watercolour Magazine (Issue 32), and in the Splash “best of watercolor” book series.
Matthew describes his philosophy and approach: “The subject matter of my figure and still life paintings communicate my deep love and respect for nature and life. Some paintings stem from a joy or narrative that is from my own experiences. Other pieces reflect the simple beauty I find in everyday objects composed together. I have focused on developing my craft to capture the beauty of what surrounds me with precision and clarity; and strive to convey that to all people through the universal language of representational art. It is my desire that when others see my work they may be inspired by the perceptible signs of the real Creator.”
JUDGING
All entries will be judged from digital images submitted through CaFE Entry. If upon delivery, an accepted artwork is found to have been misrepresented it may be disqualified. Award winners will be selected by the juror and all decisions are final.
CALENDAR
August 9 Mailed entries must be postmarked by this date
August 16 Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. CST
August 23 Result notification email sent
September 6 Deadline for receipt of shipped artwork
October 4 Opening Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with remarks
December 21 Exhibition concludes
January 3 Hand-delivered artwork picked up
January 3 Shipped artwork returned
CATALOG
Mark Arts publishes an illustrated catalog with all accepted entries. A complimentary copy will be mailed to each accepted artist at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Application Requirements
MEDIA LIMITATIONS
Only original paintings in water media on paper are acceptable. Each entry must be wholly designed and executed by the artist. No computer-generated images accepted. Your source material must be your own design or your own photograph. You may not use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to create reference material or any portion of your artwork. Prints, copies, photolithographic or computer-generated artwork are not eligible. Collage elements must be less than 10% and comprised of water media on paper. Minimum image size is 8 x 10 inches. All artworks must be display-ready with display hardware included. All work should be framed and matted and glazed, preferably with Plexiglas.
Eligibility Criteria
ELIGIBILITY
Mark Arts encourages artists of diverse backgrounds and perspectives to submit work for consideration. The exhibition is open to all artists living and working in the United States, both amateur and professional. Work must be ready to exhibit, created in the past two years, and not previously exhibited in Wichita, KS. Each artist may enter up to four pieces. Artwork should promote an environment conducive to welcoming all audiences to Mark Arts, including school tours and community outreach programs. All artworks must be for sale.