Alexander Rutsch Award and Exhibition for Painting 2021

Pelham Art Center announces the 11th biennial Alexander Rutsch Award and Exhibition for Painting, a juried competition open to U.S.-based artists aged 19 and older. The competition honors the memory and artistic achievement of Alexander Rutsch (1916–1997), who actively supported Pelham Art Center for more than 25 years. The prize winner receives a $7,500 cash award, a solo exhibition, and a printed catalog at Pelham Art Center. Award finalists also receive cash stipends of $200–$500. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pelham Art Center, the 2021 Rutsch Award prize was increased to a total of $10,000 in artist stipends.

Entries are accepted from September 1, 2020, through December 15, 2020. The entry fee is $35 per applicant for five images of available work, paid by credit card through the online entry form. Submissions must include five digital painting images in JPEG format, no smaller than 1200 pixels on the longest side, 72 ppi/dpi resolution, and 5 MB maximum file size. Paintings must not exceed 84 x 84 inches. All submitted images must be available for possible exhibition. Finalists will be contacted and required to submit an artist's statement, résumé, and images of 20 additional available works.

Finalists will be notified January 15, 2021, and the winner will be notified February 15, 2021. The solo exhibition runs May 14–June 24, 2021, with an opening reception and award presentation on Saturday, May 15, from 1–4 p.m., and a virtual opening reception on Friday, May 21, at 6 p.m. For questions, contact [email protected].