The Art of the Heartland 2017

The Art of the Heartland is a juried painting competition hosted by SouthWest Artists, Inc. (SWA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1945. The competition is hosted by SWA's Mena Art Gallery, situated in the Ouachita Mountains and National Forest. The show runs October 4–28, 2017, with a reception on Saturday, October 7, from 6–8 p.m.

Eligibility is open to artists 18 years or older from the United States and other countries, provided the painting depicts American subject matter including landscape, lifestyle, animals, and people. Entry fee is $45 for non-members ($25 for members with current member code). Artists may submit 1–10 images. All entries must be original representational paintings created after May 1, 2014, without instructor supervision or mechanical aids. Acceptable media include oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, graphite, ink, and colored pencil. Paintings must be 7" × 10" minimum and not exceed 38 inches in either direction, including frame. All work must be for sale. Electronic submissions only through the CaFÉ System are accepted from May 15–August 22, 2017.

Awards include Best in Show ($4,000), Bob Carver Memorial Award ($1,500), VanWolf Arkansas Artist Award ($1,000), Forbis Memorial Award for Animal Art ($1,000), SWA Landscape Award of Merit ($500), SWA Figurative Award of Merit ($500), SWA Still Life Award of Merit ($500), and People's Choice Certificate. The judge is renowned artist Andre Pater. Accepted artists will be notified between August 26–30, 2017. Paintings must be delivered between September 10–26, 2017 (or hand-delivered September 20–27 for local artists). A 30% donation to SWA is expected for all paintings sold. Artists are responsible for shipping, insurance, and return shipping costs.