Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced via press release that the stakes for the 2014 MI Great Artist contest have been raised by opening the annual online competition to include 3-D art as well as a total package for the winners of more than $16,000 in cash and prizes. Entries may be submitted to MiGreatArtist.com through 5 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2014.
“Our first two years succeeded in connecting residents in the Economic Growth Alliance region with the work of more than 180 local artists,” Patterson said. “We hope the prize package will create a buzz about MI Great Artist and inspire more Michigan artists to submit their work.”
Patterson and Park West Gallery founder and CEO Albert Scaglione launched the contest in 2012 as a quality of life initiative to identify and support up-and-coming artists in the Economic Growth Alliance (EGA) region. Patterson said the cash prizes would grow to a total of $3,000, with additional prizes bringing the total to more than $16,000 in cash and prizes.
Artists who are 18 years and older who also live, work or go to school in the EGA region are eligible. The EGA region includes Oakland, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Shiawassee and St. Clair counties. They may submit up to five original works of art online at MIGreatArtist.com for a public vote to determine the top 20 artists. A panel of renowned judges will choose the five finalists and winner. Complete rules about what art works and artists qualify for submission are on the website.
“We are delighted to co-sponsor this contest and talent search.” Scaglione said. “It provides a unique opportunity to expose artists to an unprecedented audience. I and the other judges are looking forward to reviewing the work and discovering more extraordinary Michigan artistic talent.”
The MI Great Artist winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize; five submitted artworks framed by Park West Gallery; a group exhibition at Park West Gallery Dec. 1 – Jan. 4, 2015. with an award ceremony and reception; a scholarship to attend three Business Basics workshops at the Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center; a one-hour consultation with an Oakland County business development representative; their artwork featured on a poster to promote one of Oakland County’s signature quality of life events, printed by Park West Gallery; a solo exhibition at Park West Gallery in Southfield; and a two-month solo exhibition at the Oakland County Galleria in the Executive Office Building in Waterford.
Four runners-up will each receive a $375 cash prize; framing by Park West Gallery of five artworks included in their submissions; a group exhibition at Park West Gallery Dec. 1 – Jan. 4, 2015 with award ceremony and reception; a scholarship to attend one Business Basics workshop at the Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center; a one-hour consultation with an Oakland County business development representative; and a two-month solo exhibition in the Oakland County Galleria.
Artists may submit their work online from Monday, Sept. 15 through Friday, Oct. 3. Public voting will take place at MIGreatArtist.com from Oct. 17-30. The top 20 artists will be posted on the website Friday, Oct. 31. Judges will review the top 20 beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4. They will announce the top five on Friday, Nov. 14. There will be an exhibition of the five semi-finalists at Park West Gallery in Southfield from Monday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. Patterson and Scaglione will announce the winner at an evening gallery reception Dec. 3.
The judges are Scaglione; Elliott W. Broom, vice president of museum operations at the Detroit Institute of Arts; Dominic Pangborn, founder of Pangborn Design Collection and former professor at the College of Creative Studies; Don Tocco, an artist whose work includes award winning photography, paintings sold to high end art collectors, portrait sculptures of famous global leaders; and Kristie Everett Zamora, arts and culture for Oakland County’s Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs.
MI Great Artist partners include Oakland County, Park West Gallery, Economic Growth Alliance, AdvantageOakland.com and Oakland County Prosper® magazine.
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