Mississippi Valley Art Guild holds contest

The Mississippi Valley Art Guild will hold its first art contest Sept. 10 and 11 in a wide range of art styles and mediums.

According to Barbara McCormick, the Guild will have the studio open from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 10 to take entries, or call her at (618) 826-4962.

Artists must register and submit their work along with a fee for each piece submitted. The cost is $10 for adults age 16 and over, $5 for youth ages 9 through 15 and also a category for children 8 and under.

McCormick said the Guild wanted to offer a category for children because so many of them have become interested and involved in art.

A wide range of artwork mediums will be accepted in the contest including oil, watercolor, charcoal, ink, acrylic, pastel, pencil, photography, and mixed medium. The size of the entered artwork is at the discretion of the artist. Visual presentation of the artwork and aesthetics of framing and finishing will be considered during the judging.

Each piece must be labeled with an identification form provided by the MVAG at the time of registration. All artwork presented for judging in the contest may be photographed and reproduced for noncommercial promotion by the Mississippi Valley Art Guild. The artwork will be offered for sale unless the artist chooses to mark the work as NFS (Not for sale).

The judges are former members of the Guild and prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m. on the 11th.

In the Adult category a $50 award will be made in the following mediums: Oils/Acrylic; Charcoal/Pencil/Pen/Ink; Watercolor/Pastels; Photography and Mixed Medium.

A Best of Show Award of $50 will be presented in the Adult Category as well.

In the Children and Youth Categories 1st place will receive $25, 2nd place $10 and 3rd place will receive art supplies. A $25 Best of Show will also be awarded in both age groups. Honorable Mention awards may be presented in any category at the discretion of the judges.

McCormick encourages artists young and old to enter their work and share their talent with the community. She hopes the community will also come by and view the artwork and possibly purchase some of the pieces.

She added that while precautions will be taken to safeguard the artwork and participants, the Mississippi Valley Art Guild does not accept liability for loss or for damage to artwork in transit, in storage, or on display, nor for any personal injury incurred during participation in this event.

Artists are strongly encouraged to insure their own person and artwork. Proper safeguards will be in place in compliance with COVID-19 protocol.