Expand Your Art’s Exposure by Entering Painting Contests

If you are looking to expand the exposure that your artwork is receiving then you may want to consider entering a national painting competition. There are dozens of these events held throughout the year, with various themes, and various prizes. To find the right painting competition for you then you will want to look for medium specialty, contests that offer the right exposure for your artwork, and for contests that offer you the type of prize that is right for you. If you are interested in promoting your art through painting competition then you may want to consider entering one of these contests.

Painting Competition Number One – Annual International Wildlife Film Festival Poster Art Competition

The International Wildlife Film Festival is an annual event held in Missoula, Montana in the Spring. While it is held in a small town in Montana its promotional materials are distributed worldwide, and they are seen by high profile companies like Kodak, National Geographic, and the Discovery Channel. If you would like to increase the exposure that your artwork receives than entering the IWFF Annual Poster Contest is a great place to begin. The winning piece of art will be used as the centerpiece for all of the festivals promotional materials for a particular festival season, and it will be featured on a poster, print, cards, brochures, T-shirts, bags, etc.

To enter this contest you will need to produce a piece of two dimension art that reflects this year’s theme. You can find the theme online, as well as the entry form and instructions, at http://www.wildlifefilms.org/festivals/iwff/index.html. There is a $10 entry fee, however, the top three places offer small cash prizes. Your entry package will need to include the entry fee, a 35mm slide of your artwork, a one paragraph narrative, and a completed entry form. Entries need to be postmarked by November 1.

Painting Competition Number Two – eMotion Pictures Exhibition of Orthopaedics in Art

This competition has an Orthopaedic them, and entrants need to have been impacted by some form of Orthopaedic problem, and their artwork needs to reflect this impact. Entries will need to be completed and submitted by January 5. There is no entry fee, however, you will need to meet eligibility requirements.

There are two different entry categories that you can enter the one for Orthopaedic patients and the one for Orthopaedic surgeons. Your entry will need to include an image of your artwork, a photo of you, a short biography, and a narrative that answers the following questions:

1. What is the impact of your orthopaedic condition on your life?
2. When did you start creating your artwork and what motivated you to begin?
3. What role did art play in therapy for, recovery from, or living with your orthopaedic condition?
4. Describe the aspect of your orthopaedic condition and the historical perspective illustrated by this entry.

You can find the rules, instructions, and entry information at http://www6.aaos.org/pemr/emotion/information.cfm. All questions should be directed to Sandra Gordon at 6300 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4262, Gordon@aaos.org, or to Addy Kujawa, 6300 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois 60018-4262, kujawa@aaos.org.

Painting Competition Number Three – Transparent Watercolor Society of America National Exhibition

If you are a watercolor artist and you are looking to expand your art’s exposure on a larger scale than the Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s National Exhibition is a great way to do this. This competition has a November 1 entry deadline, and it provides artists with not only great exposure to the art world, but also high valued cash prizes. For more information and a prospectus for this contest please contact Suzanne Hetzel, who is the Exhibition’s Chair at 630-882-8201, or email her at exhibition@watercolors.org.