Become a winner like Susan Russell who has collected many ribbons.

By DARLA MCCAMMON

Lakeland Arts Association

WARSAW — Lakeland Art Association just finished working on an art show competition.  If you have an opportunity you should stop by their gallery at 302 E. Winona Avenue in Warsaw and take a look at the work and the winners.  Another well-known art competition is taking entries on June 5 at the Honeywell Center Clark Gallery from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Do you have a piece of art you have thought about entering somewhere but can’t dig up the nerve to take it in?

Don’t let the fear of failure deter you please. You cannot win if you do not enter and even if you are not surprised with a winning ribbon, you will learn something to help you improve to the point that you may find yourself a winner in the future.

If you have never entered an art competition you must first find out where competitions are being held.  You can check this column, check with various art associations, and of course Google to find competitions within your local area.

Next, you will want to obtain what is called a prospectus about the show/competition.  This is a guide to tell you what is acceptable for entry. You will learn that in most competitions your work must be in a frame. Some competitions now allow the wrapped canvas that continues to the very back and shows no staples. Almost all guidelines include a statement like, “must have wire hanger installed on back for hanging—no sawtooth hangers allowed.”

Some competitions have a theme and your work will be rejected if it does not meet the theme requirements, for instance the upcoming Honeywell Clark Gallery show has a theme of water. This means that your beautiful mountain scene in the fall will not meet their criteria.

Depending on the whims of the gallery show chair, you may find your watercolor competing with an oil painting or a sculpture!  Other shows offer categories so things done in the same media compete with other talented people who have utilized the same media for their work.  Best of Show is just that, looking at the overall quality and work for the entire show, regardless of media used, and offering that grandest of titles!

Visiting art show competitions is so very educational, especially if you have ever considered purchasing art for your home or office.  Now you can see what a judge has deemed worthy work and you can begin to determine what quality of work you want to own.  Do plan to visit many such exhibits though, because although they try to be impartial, almost all judges have personal preferences that show up.  By visiting many competitions you will be able to ascertain work that stands up under the scrutiny of many different judges.

Lastly, if you have always had a yen to draw or paint why not take advantage of some of the many workshops offered at Lakeland Art Association?  You will meet new friends, become relaxed, and learn to enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes.  Watch for their new “Lunch and Learn” series that will be coming soon.  You are going to thoroughly love and enjoy it!

Upcoming and Current Events: 

• Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery.  A smattering of work by Darla McCammon is now on display. Award-winning artist continues to develop in new directions. Can you tell what is most recent? Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out her website.  You can contact Darla at [email protected] or (574) 527-4044.
• Lakeland Art Association, view the winning paintings in their recent competition!  Great work!  302 E. Winona Ave. Warsaw, or at www.lakelandartassociation.org.  Next exhibit by Kelly Shoemaker and Elizabeth Wamsley coming soon on May 31.  More on their work next week.