Artists Wanted

The clock is ticking. Midnight this Saturday (August 17) marks the deadline for artists to submit their work to the Montgomery Art Guild/Regions Bank Art Show. We recently sat down with some of the Guild’s leadership for a wide-ranging conversation, and we’ll write about that soon, but for now we’re here to encourage you to submit your art. There are cash prizes ($3000 worth), but that’s not why we’re eager about this. Unlike many contests, participation in this one is itself a big win –  not just for you, but for the community as whole.

First, it’s worth noting that this show is super easy to enter. You pay $50 to join the Guild (a gift that keeps on giving), and can enter up to four pieces for pretty nominal fees. There’s a straightforward site to help with all of this.

Still, why would you go to the trouble? First, you can’t win if you don’t enter. And you’ve got to start somewhere, as MAG’s first vice president (and show committee chair) Georgia Banks-Martin, knows well:

“Just send it in,” advised Banks-Martin. “I remember the first piece I ever hung in a show. It didn’t sell. It was horrible, But I kept trying, and then last year I hung a photo that got third place, and I was giddy. You never know what will happen in a juried show. If the work is quality, it will eventually find its place.”

When you enter, you make an affirmative decision to participate in the Guild’s artistic community. This can be important for your own artistic development. MAG president Warren Simons shared his optimistic vision, saying to those on the fence:

“Take the risk. Submit. Just with that decision, you’ll be invited to start socializing with other artists and getting involved in the bubbling process of community. You can see what others are doing, which can’t help but expand your horizons. You’ll grow as an artist, and the community will grow as a whole.”
The seven categories for works presented in the Regions Bank show include oil, acrylic and gouache opaque painting; transparent painting in watercolor and inks; sculpture; photography and computer imagery; works on paper (pastels, pencil, pen & ink, and printmaking); mixed media, constructions and fiber art, and student art. All works in the exhibition are created by members of the Montgomery Art Guild.

And for those of us who are more eager consumers (rather than producers) of art, we’re anxious to see what you’ve got. For more information about the Montgomery Art Guild/Regions Bank Art Show, visit the Guild’s website at www.montgomeryartguild.org.