It's the time of year for visual artists to get their photographs or artwork ready for the competitions of the Virginia Highlands Festival. The exhibits are open for the public from Friday, July 29 through Sunday, Aug 7.
The annual Photography Competition and Exhibition is displayed at the William King Museum of Art, Abingdon, Virginia. Entries may be made in the following categories professional, amateur, altered images and youth. The sizes should not be greater than 11 by 14 inches and must be mounted on foam core board.
Entries can be either mailed to the Virginia Highlands Festival, Attention: Photography Committee, P.O. Box 801, Abingdon, Virginia, 24212, or delivered to the William King Museum of Art on the afternoons of Saturday, July 16 or Sunday, July 17. There is no limit on the number of entries. Entry fees are $5 for youth and $15 for professionals.
Photography prizes are $300 for Best in Show, $150 for People's Choice Award and $100, $50, and $25 for first, second and third places in each category.
The Juried Fine Arts Show is held at The Arts Depot, Abingdon, Virginia, and each artist is limited to three entries. The prizes include Best in Show ($750), three Awards of Distinction ($250 each), three Awards of Merit ($100), and a Committee Award ($100), a Plein Air Award ($100) and a People's Choice award ($250).
Drop-off days for the Juried Fine Arts Show competition are the afternoons of Saturday, July 23 or Sunday, July 24. The entry fee is $20 for each work. The awards presentation is Thursday, July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Arts Depot.
Artwork is accepted for the Virginia Highlands Youth Art exhibit Sunday, July 24, from 2-4 p.m. on the basement level of the William King Museum of Art. Youth in kindergarten through 12th grade may bring one or two matted, mounted or framed pieces of art to be displayed in the Student Gallery at the museum during the Virginia Highlands Festival. Small three-dimensional work also accepted. There is a $3 charge per entry.
For detailed information about any of these competitions or the entry forms, visit the festival's website at www.vahighlandsfestival.org.
