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In conjunction with the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Association, we are once again hosting this statewide juried exhibition for Arkansas’ talented high school artists.  Beginning January 1, 2021 high school students from across Arkansas are invited to submit ONLINE their drawings, paintings, prints and mixed media assemblages in conjunction with the 2021 competition theme, “Dear America…Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The collective goal of the competition is to inspire our state’s young artists by providing them with a platform for their work which will be displayed at the Governor’s Mansion during April 2021.   Awards and other recognition will be presented at the 2021 Awards Reception to be hosted by the Governor and myself on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at the Governor’s Mansion.

 

Important submission deadlines and other information are outlined below.  We greatly appreciate your help in disseminating this contest information to your peers and once again, look forward to receiving wonderful works of art from our state’s bright and talented young artists.


Sincerely,
Susan Hutchinson
First Lady of Arkansas
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Eligibility:
All public, private, charter and home-schooled high school students (Grades 9-12) who reside in Arkansas are eligible.

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2021 Competition’s Theme: 

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Dear America…

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

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The 2021 Governor’s Young Artist Competition theme focuses on each student’s patriotic vision and celebrates American strength, courage and beauty.  The 2021 competition provides an incredible opportunity for Arkansas’ young artists to combine their artistic talent with a patriotic vision to create art that celebrates and honors America.  As students begin evaluating their subject matter for their 2021 art submissions, please encourage them to consider the following words and how these words might relate to our 2021 patriotic theme:

  • Sacrifice

  • Honor

  • Liberty

  • Independence

  • Community

  • Duty

  • Service

  • Gratitude

  • Reverence

  • Beauty

  • Courage

  • Justice

 

Submission Requirements:

  • Artwork must be submitted by a high school teacher or representative

  • Each high school teacher/representative may submit up to 15 pieces of artwork, with an individual limit of only THREE (3) submissions per student.  Also, this is a juried show.  Entries are NOT guaranteed acceptance.

  • There are NO fees associated with submission

  • ANY piece created by students at any time during their high school education may be submitted as long as the piece adheres to the 2021 theme.  Reproductions are NOT allowed.

  • Photography entries (8X10 minimum) are limited to only FIVE (5) photos per student.

 

Media Specifications:

  • Work must not exceed 40 inches wide by 40 inches high.

  • Minimum size is 11 X 14.

  • Work must be physical, tangible, and available to be displayed for the duration of the exhibition. 

  • All winning submissions must be ready to hang for a professional gallery, and all pieces must be framed (contact Sharon Morris if you have questions about framing, as framing is not necessary on some larger canvas pieces) and have a “hanger” attached to the back.  These do not have to be professionally framed and do not have to be matted.  However, they must be “gallery ready” and again, have a hanging device attached to the back.  No tape with wire or string will be allowed.  Pastel and charcoal drawings must also be sprayed with fixative. 

  • For those pieces accepted into the exhibit, please plan to affix a copy of the Student Information Form to the back of each accepted piece prior to delivery.   If you have any questions about this, contact Sharon Morris, 501-324-9805.

 

 

HOW TO SUBMIT ARTWORK:

Each artwork submission must be uploaded ONLINE, using the following link:

 

https://form.jotform.com/202316340488149

 

You will use this link for EACH individual piece of artwork submitted.  Please keep the images free of identifying information (artist name, etc.) as this information will require cropping of the image.  ENTRIES ARE ONLY ACCEPTED THROUGH THIS LINK.   The link is also available at our website:  www.friendsofthemansion.org

 

Entries MUST be UPLOADED no later than 6 p.m., on Monday, February 8, 2021

 

Other Important Dates:

*January 1, 2021 – Earliest date students can begin uploading their art submissions.

*February 8, 2021 - DEADLINE for uploaded submissions to:

  https://form.jotform.com/202316340488149

*Week of February 22, 2021 - Teachers/schools will be notified if submissions are selected for exhibition.

*March 26, 2021 – DEADLINE for selected works (gallery ready) to be delivered to Mansion

(MUST call to schedule delivery, 501-324-9805).

*April 1, 2021 - The student exhibition at Governor’s Mansion begins. 

*April 24, 2021 - Awards Reception/Recognition ceremony at Governor’s Mansion.


For more information, contact Sharon Morris at:
sharon.morris@governor.arkansas.gov, or 501-324-9805

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