Annual Student Art Exhibition

Held each spring in duPont Gallery, duPont Hall, the Annual Student Art Exhibition offers all students the opportunity to participate in a juried show. Selection of works is competitive, and those chosen are eligible for departmental awards (announced at the opening reception). All necessary information about the submission, selection, exhibition, and removal policies will be listed on the exhibition prospectus.  This is available prior to the submission date. All policy details listed therein are enforced.

SUBMISSION PROCESS
(a maximum of 3 works may be submitted by each student)

1. Submit Work(s) in duPont Gallery:
One week before the opening, submissions will be accepted in duPont Gallery at designated times only (these times will be posted in advance around Melchers). Only works completed in an University of Mary Washington studio art course after
April of the previous school year will be accepted. A maximum of three works may be submitted, and they must be ready to display or will be disqualified. All work must be placed in DuPont Gallery. Conditions placed on accepted works must be met.

2. Complete and Attach an Entry Form for Each Work:
Each submission must have a completed entry form attached to it (available in duPont Gallery at the time of submission). In filling out the form, please note the following:

• Course – list the course and semester for which the work was created.
• Medium – this term refers to the method or the materials used in creating the piece. For example; stoneware, oil on luan, mixed media, black-and-white photograph, batik lithograph, etc. The applicant must select one choice from those listed on the form.
• Special Installation- refers to specific instructions for how work is to be juried and installed (if accepted).
• Price - the price of a piece is determined primarily by labor and material costs. Besides the up-front cost of materials, consider the number of hours spent on a piece and how much you might charge by the hour if commissioned. SET A REASONABLE PRICE, especially if you wish to sell the piece. (Note: NFS means “not for sale”.) There is no “price on request” or “see artist” option; there must be either a price or NFS specified

3. Sign the Artist Agreement Form:
Each artist must sign this form (which will be located on the main desk in duPont Gallery at the time of submission). By signing it, the artist acknowledges the following:

a.  That his or her work was created for a UMW studio art course; and

b.  That his or her work, if accepted into the exhibition, is automatically eligible for the Melchers Gray Purchase Award and may become the property of the Department of Art and Art History.

SELECTION OF WORKS

An independent juror, chosen by department faculty, will select works for the exhibition. Pieces not accepted must be removed immediately or will be discarded. Artists whose work is chosen may be contacted by the gallery staff for more information on how to hang or display works.  All work in the show must be removed immediately after the exhibit closes or will be discarded.

MEDIA & DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
Awards are given in all the major mediums and several endowed awards are also available each year to deserving studio art majors. Selected by studio art faculty or an independent juror, recipients of these awards are announced at the Annual Student Art Exhibition in the spring.

Ann Elizabeth Collins Award in Graphic Arts
Established in memory of Ann Elizabeth Collins (‘73) by friends, relatives, and faculty, this endowed award is given to the student who demonstrates great potential in graphic media.

Melchers Gray Purchase Award in Studio Art
This award of approximately $500.00 is used to purchase one to two outstanding works from the Annual Student Art Exhibition. The selected work becomes part of the College’s Permanent Collection.

Emil Schnellock Award for Excellence in Painting
Given in recognition of excellence in painting by the Department of Art and Art History. (Recipient chosen by an independent juror of the Annual Student Art Exhibition.)