A brilliant and talented artist may be in our midst, but until now, the possibility of large-scale recognition has escaped his or her work.
Downtown gallery and store Auburn Art is holding an artist search contest for "the next great feature artisan," according to a press release sent out Wednesday, Sept. 26.
The contest began Monday, Oct. 1, and will continue to accept submissions until Monday, Oct. 22.
Cliff Hare, owner of AuburnArt, said the contest is not limited to students, and artists may submit their artwork by either posting an image to the Auburn Art Facebook page or bringing their artwork into the store.
"Anyone can bring their art into the store for submission," Hare said. "We just prefer digital files because it's easier to round up everyone's submissions."
Artists may submit their artwork for review in three categories: "All Artists, All In," which will be composed of any Auburn artwork, "Southern by the Grace of Art," in which all Southern pieces will be accepted and "Tradition Never Dies," which will be a tribute to the "majestic and timeless nature of trees in the South."
Artists are allowed to submit up to 15 entries total, with no more than five in each category.
From Oct. 22-29, anyone will be able to vote on their favorite pieces via AuburnArt's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Five finalists will be decided by the highest number of Twitter and Facebook votes by Tuesday, Oct. 29 and will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their artwork in AuburnArt's Southern Art Show at the store Nov. 16-17.
A panel of three judges will then vote from Oct. 29-Nov. 1 to choose an overall winner from the five finalists.
The winner will receive a cash prize and will have his or her work featured online and at the AuburnArt store.
Hare said the judges haven't agreed on an exact cash prize yet, but that it will be approximately $100.
Judges on the panel include Cliff Hare, owner of Auburn-Art and avid photographer; Kevin Smith, professor of visual communication at Auburn University; and Molly McDonald, owner of The Darling Dog Portrait Company.
McDonald spoke of her passion for art, and how being a judge and giving a taste of artistic value helps new art succeed in Auburn.
"The pressure to create something (clients) would be proud to hang in their home pushed me to tread new waters," McDonald said.
"(My) whole business was accidentally born when I went outside my normal comfort zone of portraiture for two friends that also have a very artistic taste."
The five finalists and overall winner will be announced Friday, Nov. 2 via Facebook and Twitter, and they will showcase their work at the Southern Art Show.
To submit a work online or view the official rules, visit AuburnArt's Facebook page at facebook.com/auburnart or share a photo with its Twitter account @AuburnArt.
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