2015 MI Great Artist Competition Underway as “The Many Faces of God” Exhibition Opens for 2014 Finalist

The works of MI Great Artist finalist and sculptor Estela Monjo will be on display beginning Friday at the Oakland County Executive Office.

Entitled “The Many Faces of God,” the exhibition presents a collection of clay and plaster sculptures created by Monjo, a St. Clair Shores resident and former school teacher. A reception is being held for the artist from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the lobby of the Executive Office Building, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford.

The free exhibition runs until Nov. 18. The sculptures are available for purchase.

“We are blessed with a pool of talented artists in this area,” Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “This is a singular opportunity to meet one of these gifted artists and learn about the work first-hand.”

Monjo was among four finalists in the 2014 MI Great Artist competition. 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. Patterson said the cash awards have grown to a total of $3,000, with additional prizes bringing the total to more than $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Entries for the 2015 MI Great Artist competition are being accepted until Oct. 9 at MiGreatArtist.com. Artists who are 18 years and older who live, work or go to school in the following counties are eligible: Oakland, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Shiawassee, St. Clair and Wayne. A panel of renowned judges will choose the five finalists and winner.

Complete contest rules are at MIGreatArtist.com. MI Great Artist partners include Oakland County, Park West Gallery, AdvantageOakland.com and Oakland County Prosper® magazine.