Putnam County Adult Visual Arts Exhibit call for submissions

The Greencastle Arts Council invites all adult 2-D and 3-D visual artists who have lived, worked, studied or were born in Putnam County to apply for participation in its third annual adult visual arts exhibit. Pictured is 2021 award-winner Troy Feichter with his first-place sculpture “War Horse.” This year’s exhibit, organized in collaboration with the Putnam County Museum, is scheduled to open July 9 and run through Sept. 24. Deadline for submissions is May 16.

Courtesy photo Lynne Tweedie

The Greencastle Arts Council, in collaboration with the Putnam County Museum, announces that it is now accepting submissions to the 2022 Putnam County Adult Visual Arts Exhibition.

Begun only three years ago, with countywide support the exhibit gratefully has grown into an annual event. This year’s exhibit will open to the public on July 9 and run through Sept. 24, at the Putnam County Museum (PCM), 105 N. Jackson St. in Greencastle. Deadline for submission of artwork is May 16.

To encourage as wide a representation of talent as possible, the call is extended to all adult artists, who have lived, worked, studied or were born in Putnam County. In addition to having their work shown at the museum, individuals whose pieces are selected will be considered for multiple cash awards totaling more than $1,000, an increase over previous seasons.

The first-prize winner also receives two tickets to GAC’s celebratory year-end Bonne Soirée, to be held at the Tiger Pointe Event Center on Nov. 5.

“This exhibit fulfills the Arts Council’s express mission to raise up local art and artists, cultivate arts capacity, and deepen pride of place throughout the Putnam County area,” said GAC board president and painter Lavinia Hale, who is co-chairing the 2022 exhibit with fellow board member Lisa Cooper. “The first year the show was held, in 2020, we identified and exhibited work by 24 individual artists in Putnam County. In 2021, despite Covid-19, the number of artists recognized grew to 36,” Hale continued. “This year, as health restrictions hopefully ease, we would love to see that number grow even more.”

In advance of the exhibit, the GAC and PCM also will be offering a new professional development opportunity on Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m.–noon. Prior to submitting their application, local artists will have a chance to work with photographer Drew Cooper to have their work professionally photographed, if needed, and their headshots taken. To reserve a spot, call PCM at 653-8419.

To participate in the exhibit, artists must be 18 years of age or older, and artworks not exceed seven feet in height or width. A $15 application fee includes submission of up to three pieces in the exhibit, a one-year Greencastle Arts Council individual membership and an invitation to the opening night artist award reception on Saturday, July 9, at the PCM. If the artist chooses, their work may also be offered for sale.

Interested individuals are asked to submit their applications by the May 16 deadline. They can do so by filling out an online application and paying their submission fee through the GAC website (www.greencastleartscouncil.org), then emailing their images to info@greencastleartscouncil.org. Alternatively, they may pick up a paper application at their local library, follow the instructions provided, and mail the application, along with payment, to the Greencastle Arts Council (P.O. Box 631, Greencastle IN 46135).

After the initial review process is completed, participants will be notified and asked to deliver the works that are selected to the Putnam County Museum between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the week of June 13–18.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting the GAC website or contacting info@greencastleartscouncil.org.