The 32nd Annual LowellArts West Michigan Art Competition highlights outstanding artwork by 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. Cash awards totaling $2500 are awarded to 1st - 5th place.

PRIZES
1st Place - $1000, 2nd Place - $700, 3rd Place - $450, 4th Place - $200, 5th Place - $150

SCHEDULE
On-line Entries Accepted: January 5 to January 29, 2018
Drop-Off of Accepted Work: March 1, 2, and 3 - 10am-5pm
Exhibit Dates: March 10 - April 14, 2018
Reception and Awards: Thursday, March 15, 6-8pm
Pick-up of Accepted Work: April 17, 18, and 19 - 10am-5pm

JUROR
This year’s distinguished juror is Ryan Kaltenbach. He currently serves as Exhibits Director at the Northville Art House near Detroit. Ryan Kaltenbach joined the Northville Art House in 2014. Prior to his tenure at the Art House, he served as the Deputy Director and Collection Manager at the Saginaw Art Museum. He holds degrees from Kalamazoo College and Northwestern University.

ARTIST 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, Van Buren.

ENTRY ELIGIBLITY
Only original works completed in the last two 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.

*Note: When entering the dimensions of 2-Dimensional pieces, please include the image size dimensions only (not the size including the frame). Thank you.

ENTRY PROCEDURES
Artists may submit one piece in any medium for consideration by the juror. Only one image is needed for 2-dimensional pieces. For 3-Dimensional pieces, two images of the same piece may be submitted. All entries must be submitted digitally through the www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ) website. Search keyword “Lowell.” There is no cost to register on CaFÉ, but it is required. Deadline for entry is January 29, 2018 at 11:59pm EST.

ENTRY 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.

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Artists will be notified on February 16, after 5pm, via email if their piece was accepted for the exhibition. Awards will not be announced until the reception on March 15. Artists with accepted entries will be emailed a label to fill out and affix to the back of their piece before delivery.

DELIVERY
All accepted entries must be hand-delivered or shipped to: LowellArts, 223 W Main St, Lowell, MI 49331. The new 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 1, 2, or 3. Artists may deliver between 10am and 5pm. Shipped works must be prepaid and arrive by Friday, March 2, 2018. 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. D-Rings are allowed for larger, heavy 2-dimensional pieces. 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 should call 616-897-8545 to receive their discount code before entering. Refunds cannot be provided after entry. Entry fees help fund prizes, programs, and services of 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 April 14, 2018. Shipped artworks will be sent back in the packing materials they arrived in. Return of shipped artwork will begin April 19. Shipment costs are the responsibility of the artist. Artists may pick up accepted work in person April 17, 18, and 19 between 10am-5pm. 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.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria