Mackinac Art Museum launches art competition

Mackinac Island has inspired gorgeous photography, painting and other forms of artwork for as long as people have lived in and traveled to the area. Now, the newly opened Mackinac Art Museum is putting out the call for new Mackinac-related artworks to be entered in its first competition.

There are two juried competitions; the contemporary art exhibition, for painting, drawing and other two-dimensional work, and a separate photography exhibition.

The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, part of the Mackinac State Historic Parks system, is offering a total of $4,750 in cash prizes in the contests, and will also display the winning pieces in special exhibitions.

The museum features a collection of both historic Mackinac artifacts and artworks, and fine and decorative art created on and about the island. All entries into the art and photo contests must be Mackinac-related as well.

"We are thrilled to be able to sponsor these art contests and display the winners in the Mackinac Art Museum. This effort will help us achieve our goal of encouraging the creation of new artwork inspired by the beauty of Mackinac," says Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks.

The art competition will be judged by Robert Wilbert, professor emeritus at Wayne State University. Entries should be postmarked by May 16, with the exhibition planned to run in the late summer season, from July 15 to Oct. 9.

The photo competition will be juried by S. Kay Young, a Detroit-based artist and teacher at Oakland Community College. Entries should be postmarked by June 1, with the exhibition scheduled for Aug. 1 to Oct. 9.

Entry forms, guidelines and more details are online at the museum's website.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Phil Porter, Mackinac State Historic Parks


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