2016 Williams Prize in Drawing Exhibition

The Williams Prize in Drawing for Emerging Artists is a celebration of drawing as a critical element in contemporary art making and as an art form with powerful expressive possibilities. The prize provides a venue through which emerging artists can share, on a national stage, both their unique visions and their drawing skills.

Artists have the opportunity to compete for one of eleven monetary awards: First Prize of $1000 and ten Juror's Choice Awards of $200 each. Selected works will be included in the Williams Prize in Drawing Exhibition, held June 28-July 24, 2016 at the Silpe Gallery at the Hartford Art School in West Hartford, CT. The 2016 juror is Douglas Martenson, Chair of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Faculty Committee and Lecturer in Figure Drawing at the University of Pennsylvania.

The competition is open to emerging artists age 18 and older currently residing in the United States who self-identify as emerging rather than mid-career or established artists. Applicants may be recent graduates, currently enrolled in BFA or MFA programs, working in atelier schools, working independently, or working in teaching capacities. There are no upper age limits. All drawings must be original 2D work completed within the past 5 years (2011-present) using traditional or experimental contemporary approaches and materials, excluding digitally created or enhanced art. Acceptable media include chalk, charcoal, color pencil, Conté, graphite, marker, metal-point, pastel, and pen & ink. Artists may submit 2-10 drawings. Entry fee is $35 for two drawings plus $5 per additional drawing. All submissions are handled through CaFÉ and evaluated using a blind jury process. Drawings must arrive framed and professionally wired for hanging. Shipping containers are limited to 48"x36"x6"; hand-delivered pieces may be up to 72"x72."