ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Alabama high school students (public, private and home-schooled) in grades 10th-12th for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Work must have been completed in the past 2 years and cannot have been submitted in previous SCAC exhibits. All artwork must be original. Copying other artists’ work is prohibited.
Entry is limited to 2 works per student. For each work you may submit up to 2 digital images (a general view and a detailed view).
JPG images must be attached to your application form. DO NOT zip or save JPGs as a PDF; DO NOT use cloud-based file sharing services. Digital images should be sent as large size, high quality files. Remember, the first round of judging is by digital submission so it’s best to use the best quality image of your work. To avoid confusion, please submit both pieces of work (if you are submitting two works) on one form. Do not submit multiple forms.
All image files must be named as follows: title of work (underscore) artist’s first and last initial(underscore)medium category.
Primary image: title of work_first/last initials_mediumcategory.jpg
Detail image 1 (optional): title of work(detail1)_fist/last initials_mediumcategory.jpg
Detail image 2 (optional): title of work(detail2)_fist/last initials_mediumcategory.jpg
Example:
AmercanGothic_GW_painting.jpg
AmericanGothic(detail)_GW_painting.jpg
TheThinker_AR_sculpture.jpg
TheThinker(detail1)_AR_sculpture.jpg
TheThinker(detail2)_AR_sculpture.jpg
Content guidelines
At the SCAC we believe in freedom of expression in all forms of art; but we also believe there is a time and place for everything. Work that might be viewed as overtly sexually explicit, graphic or violent will be subject to SCAC committee evaluation and approval.
There is no cost to enter.
All students who entered will receive an email notifying them as to whether or not they were accepted into the show by 3/03/23. If you have not received an email by that date, please email info@shelbycountyartscouncil.com
Accepted works must be delivered ready-to-install. 2D work needs to be either matted and inside of a protective plastic sleeve with plastic adhesive hanging tabs on the back or framed with hangers/wire on the back. Matting/framing is not required for 3D works, but all artwork should be presented in a professional manner. The SCAC staff does not provide mats or frames for 2D works, but gallery pedestals/stands are provided for 3D work. Please see the images at the bottom of this page for examples of hanging wires/tabs.
All entries must follow the above guidelines or will not be accepted.
LIABILITY
All possible care will be taken in handling artwork. Shelby County Arts Council and/or any of its partnering organizations cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Artwork will be stored for 30 days after the close of the exhibit. Any artwork remaining after 30 days will be discarded.
Exhibit Timeline
February 17, 2023 – Deadline for Entry
March 1-3, 2023 – Notification to Students of Juror Decision
March 16, 2023 – Deadline for Delivery of Artwork
March 27-April 23, 2023-Exhibit dates
April 23, 2023 – Closing Reception, Awards and College Preview Day (2-4 pm) *Students are allowed to take work home this day*
April 24-28, 2023-Artwork pickup
- If work is only matted, be sure to secure the mat to backing board or place inside a clear plastic sleeve to ensure work will not fall out of the matting.
- If there is no way to attach a hanging wire, please attach clear plastic adhesive tabs to the back of work.
- These clear adhesive hanging tabs can be found in Hobby Lobby or Michaels framing sections.
- For framed or canvas work, please attach a D-ring hanger and wire to your piece. Some frames include the D-rings or something similar.
- Another example of a D-ring hanger and wire.
- A metal D-ring hanger.
- Sawtooth hangers are also acceptable picture hangers. Please nail them to the frame, do not tape or glue them (they could fall off).