A Sense of Place, 2018

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art announces the 2018 juried fine art competition, A Sense of Place. Open to all US artists age 18 and older, this thirty-eighth annual event seeks to recognize the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by contemporary American artists. Founded in 1937 and housed in the historic Nicholas Ware mansion (c. 1818), GHIA is Augusta's only independent nonprofit visual arts school and gallery.

The juror for this year's competition is Judy Onofrio, a self-taught multi-media sculptor who has been creating and exhibiting art nationally and internationally for over five decades. Her work includes jewelry, ceramic sculpture, large-scale installations, fire performances, and bone sculpture. Selected awards include the Rochester Art Center Lifetime Achievement Award, the Minnesota Crafts Council Lifetime Achievement Award, and the McKnight Foundation Distinguished Minnesota Artist award.

Entry fee is $37 for up to 3 entries (1 image per entry). Each additional entry is $10. Submit 3-20 images. Three cash prizes will be awarded: $750 Best of Show Award and two $500 Juror's Awards. Additional noncash Honorable Mention awards may be presented at the juror's discretion. Award recipients will be announced Friday, September 7, 2018, at the opening reception.

All works must be original, not previously exhibited at GHIA, and completed on or after June 1, 2016. Accepted media: painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. Film and video are ineligible. Two-dimensional work must not exceed 3 feet in width or 7 feet in height and must be framed and under Plexiglas. Three-dimensional work must not exceed 5 feet in any direction or weigh more than 75 pounds. The Institute's exhibition committee serves as final authority on eligibility.

Delivery deadline for accepted works is August 24. Exhibition runs September 7–October 12, 2018. Artwork must be picked up by October 31, 2018. Return shipping must be prepaid through FedEx or UPS with a prepaid label enclosed. The artist assumes responsibility for insuring their artwork. GHIA will handle all sales with a 35% commission. GHIA may photograph artwork for reproduction in catalogues, newsletters, and promotional materials.