2013 Alexander Rutsch Award and Exhibition for Painting

Pelham Art Center announces the 7th Alexander Rutsch Award and Exhibition. Alexander Rutsch (1916–1997) was an artist who actively supported Pelham Art Center for more than 25 years. After his death, friends and supporters of Alexander Rutsch and his family established a generous and significant fund. The fund supports a bi-annual open, juried competition in painting. A $5,000 cash prize and a solo exhibition at Pelham Art Center are awarded to the winner.

Alexander Rutsch was born in Vienna, Austria. After studying voice and becoming an opera singer, he changed careers after WWII to pursue visual expression. He was a painter, sculptor, philosopher, musician, singer, and poet. In 1952, after studying at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, Rutsch received a scholarship to study in France, where he collaborated with contemporaries including Picasso and Dali. In 1954, he exhibited at the Salon Artistique International de Saceux and won first prize for abstract painting. During his 13 years in Paris, he exhibited in prominent galleries throughout Europe and received the Arts, Science and Letters Silver Medal from the City of Paris in 1958. In 1968, Rutsch moved to Pelham, New York, where he continued to work and exhibit worldwide.

Eligibility: Only U.S.-based artists, 19 years of age and older, are eligible. Entry fee is $30 per applicant for five images of available work. Submit five digital JPEG images (1920 pixels on the longest side, no greater than 1.8 megabytes each). All paintings must not exceed 84 x 84 inches. Entry deadline: February 1, 2013, 11:59pm MST. Finalists will be notified February 13, 2013, and the winner will be notified March 8, 2013. Exhibition dates: May 3–June 29, 2013. Opening reception and award presentation: Friday, May 3, 6:30–8:00pm. Finalists will be required to submit an artist's statement, résumé, and images of 10–15 additional available works. All accepted work must be ready to install and available during exhibition dates. Pelham Art Center will pay up to $750 for out-bound shipping only. The Art Center retains a 33% commission on work sold during the exhibition.