Artists from Oakland County and seven other southeast Michigan counties have the chance to strut their stuff beginning today as the MI Great Artist online art competition kicks into gear.
Artists may enter their works in this online competition vying for cash and prizes that total more than $16,000. Entries may be submitted to MIGreatArtist.com beginning today at noon until noon Aug. 10.
"This is a celebration of art and the artists whose work adds so much to our quality of life," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "There is a surprisingly deep well of talent here and the entries from past years have been a testament to the incredible talent of these artists. We encourage those talented individuals to join us as we begin the search for the next MI Great Artist winner."
Patterson and Park West Gallery founder and CEO Albert Scaglione launched the contest in 2012 as a quality of life initiative to 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.
"Park West Gallery is once again proud to co-sponsor the MI Great Artist competition," Scaglione said. "Our gallery has a long history of exposing people to art, not just by international artists, but those in the local area. We are pleased to continue this tradition and look forward to supporting and shining a spotlight on some of Michigan's most talented artists."
Artists who are 18 years and older who also live, work or go to school in the following counties are eligible: Oakland, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Shiawassee, St. Clair and Wayne 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 artworks and artists qualify for submission are on the website.
The MI Great Artist winner will receive $1,500; five submitted artworks framed by Park West Gallery; a group exhibition in October at Park West Gallery in Southfield, with an award ceremony and reception Oct. 25; 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; and a solo exhibition at the Oakland County Galleria in the Executive Office Building in Waterford.
Four runners-up will each receive $375; framing by Park West Gallery of five artworks included in their submissions; a group exhibition at Park West Gallery in October, with award ceremony and reception Oct. 25; 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 solo exhibition in the Oakland County Galleria.
Artists may submit their work online beginning today through Aug. 10. Public voting will take place at MIGreatArtist.com from Aug. 17 through Aug. 28. The top 20 artists will be posted on the website Aug. 30. Judges will review the top 20 beginning Sept. 5. They will announce the five semifinalists Sept. 19. There will be an exhibition of the five semi-finalists at Park West in October. Patterson and Scaglione will announce the winner at an evening gallery reception Oct. 25.
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 coordinator for Oakland County's Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs.
MI Great Artist partners include the participating counties, Park West Gallery, and Oakland County Prosper® magazine.
Published: Mon, Jul 17, 2017
