NEWS: Statewide Annual Visual Arts Competition Call for Entries: Deadline, September 20 and 21, 2012

Statewide Annual Visual Arts Competition Call for Entries

Artworks in Craft & Photography Are Eligible

SALT LAKE CITY— Utah Arts & Museums announces a call for entries for its annual statewide visual arts competition. This year’s media are Craft and Photography. The deadlines are September 20 and 21, 2012, and works should be delivered to the Rio Gallery at 300 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City.

“The state arts agency has produced visual arts competitions and shows since 1899, providing juried exhibitions open to all Utah artists over the age of 18,” noted Margaret Hunt, Director of Utah Arts & Museums. “The competition’s theme rotates between Mixed Media and Works on Paper, Craft and Photography and Painting and Sculpture. It’s a wonderful opportunity for artists to gain exposure for their work.”

Works are chosen for display by two out-of-state artists or arts professionals who travel to the Rio Gallery to jury the exhibition in person. Six $500 awards will be given to artists chosen by the jurors for their outstanding work. The exhibition will take place October 19 through November 30, 2012, at the Rio Gallery, with a special opening reception on October 19 from 6-9 p.m. in conjunction with the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll.

This year’s jurors are Mary Anne Redding and Stefano Catalani. Redding is the Chair of the Photography Department at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design. For the past five years, she was Curator of Photography at the New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors. Redding has published numerous essays and books on photography and contemporary art.

An Italian native, Stefano Catalani relocated to Seattle in 2001. His classic studies in Italy provided him with a strong theoretical background in art history and philosophy. In 2005 he joined Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) as Curator and was appointed Director of Curatorial Affairs/Artistic Director in February 2010. He has conceived and organized 20 acclaimed exhibitions exploring the dynamic field of art, craft and design. He focuses on “craft as a cultural signifier,” stressing the social implications of craft.

For more details, contact Visual Arts Manager Laura Durham, ldurham@utah.gov, 801.533.3582, or visitstatewideannual.org.

About Utah Arts & Museums

Utah Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on the programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555.