2016 Alaska Emerging Artists Festival and Competition

Soldotna's second annual Memorial Day Emerging Artists Festival and Competition is open to all Alaska artists working in 2D media. The competition awards three cash prizes: $1,000 for first place, $300 for second place, and $150 for third place. Judging is based on the overall quality of the body of work submitted to the jury. Only submitted and accepted pieces may be displayed.

This statewide competition is limited to emerging artists in Alaska who have had no more than one major solo exhibit in a generally recognized gallery or regional art center. Not more than fifteen emerging artists will be selected for the curated exhibit, with professional curation provided by university art instructors. Selected artists must deliver and hang work between 9am and 11am on May 28, 2016. The exhibit will run from noon to 7pm at Soldotna Creek Park, an outdoor venue with protective enclosures on the level park above the Kenai River. Live music and refreshments will be provided, along with food vendors. All work must be removed by 8pm on May 28, 2016.

Eligibility is open to any Alaska resident of any age working in 2D art forms, including painting, photography, drawing, collage, and fabric. Submissions must include not less than 6 nor more than 12 proposed works, with a maximum of two body of work submissions per artist. All works must be ready to hang. There is no application fee and no admission fee for viewers. Artist submissions may also be considered for other exhibitions including the Rotary Art Park, the September invitational sale, and the year-long Art Display Drawers at Soldotna Public Library.