We have exciting news for you!
The Paper Arts Collective announces its first annual international print contest, open to fine art printers of all levels. Founded by award-winning photographer Les Picker, and Master Printer Robert Boyer, the Collective is dedicated to advancing the art of digital photographic printing through publications, videos, workshops, adventure tours, presentations, private instruction, and contests. Les is a Moab Master Photographer, an X-Rite Coloratti and an Awagami Ambassador.
Here’s a chance to showcase your fine art printing and have it exhibited in a metropolitan gallery outside of Washington, D.C. We hope to encourage all of you - from beginners to advanced printers - to submit your entries.
If you haven’t already done so, now would be a good time to download “The Art of Fine Art Digital Printing”. This is a free download of the 163-page, comprehensive guide, courtesy of Moab Fine Art Papers.
Aside from great equipment and cash prizes, winners will have their winning images printed large in our professional studio on our large format Canon ImagePROGRAF printers using Moab fine art papers. They will then be exhibited in a fine art gallery show in the Washington, D.C. area this Fall.
We will also post an interview with all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners on the Case Study section of the eBook website.
There will be First, Second and Third place cash and prizes, as well as Honorable Mentions. The two separate categories are Color and Black & White. In summary:
- There are two (2) categories: Color and Black & White.
- You may submit up to 6 prints, divided as you wish between the two categories.
- All prints must be on 8.5" x 11" or A4 paper.
- You may print on any fine art paper you choose.
- Entrants who submit 3 or more prints will receive a link to a free copy of “The Art of the Gallery Show”, a work that walks you through every aspect of landing and managing a successful fine art exhibition.
The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2021. We look forward to receiving your submissions and wish you the very best luck!
RULES
Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2021
- Each entrant may submit up to six prints, either in one category or divided between both categories.
- All prints must be on 8.5" x 11" or A4 paper.
- Prints may be bordered or borderless.
- Prints may be on any paper of your choosing (see “Judging Criteria).
- Prints may not be matted or affixed to any backing.
- B&W prints may be toned, but the entire print must be toned that way (ie: sepia).
- Prints may be made by entrant or commercially made.
- Prints may be in any photographic genre.
- Prints must be separated by a clean sheet of smooth paper (copy paper works well).
- Entrants retain all copyrights.
- If your print is selected for any of the prizes, you must submit a digital file suitable for us to print the large format copy, within 10 days of being notified by email of your winning entry. We will work individually with artists selected for exhibition regarding image format, etc. If we do not receive your digital file(s) by the 10-day deadline, your prize will be forfeited.
- Prints must be sandwiched between two rigid pieces of cardboard to prevent damage during shipping.
- Prints will not be returned.
- By entering the contest you agree to allow the use of your prints for marketing purposes only. In cases where an individual print is used for marketing, full credit will be given to the artist.
- Any commercial or advertising usage of entered images will be by additional negotiation, appropriate compensation, and approval by the artist.
- Winning prints will be placed on sale during the exhibition with full sale price to artist, minus the transaction cost. If the artist does not want their print to be listed for sale, s/he must notify the contest administrators at the time they receive their award notice.
- Upon registration you will be sent an email with instructions on where to mail your entry, as well as labels to affix to the back of each of your prints.
- All entries must be postmarked by midnight June 30, 2021.
- Entrants with winning prints will be notified by email and asked to provide their mailing addresses to receive their prizes.
- The registration fee is $10.00USD. Each print submission is $10 additional.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Prints will be judged under controlled lighting.
- Quality of print
- Technical aspects
- Impact
- Composition
- Appropriate choice of paper for the image (matte, satin/semi-gloss, glossy, textured, washi, etc)
Our award-winning judges will review all submissions after the deadline. Judges will not be able to view the information on the “Print Identification Label”. Winners will be notified by email on or around September 1, 2021. The gallery exhibition will take place in October 18-21.
Why You Should Enter
- First, Second & Third places for Color and B&W
- Honorable Mentions for Color and B&W
- Certificates suitable for framing
- Equipment prizes
- Cash prizes
- Artistic recognition at public exhibition in a premier gallery
- Winning prints printed up to 24” x 30" and adhered to Gatorboard for exhibition (available to winners after the exhibition at cost of shipping & handling; suitable for framing)
- Potential sale of print(s) during exhibition (100% to artist, minus transaction fee)
- Publication of winning prints online
- Interviews with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners published on fine art print website
- Free with the entry of three or more prints: The Art Of the Gallery Show (Sells For $9.95)
PRIZES
1st Place Prizes (Color and B&W)
- BenQ SW271C Monitor ($1599.99) 1st Place color / SW270C ($799.99) 1st Place B&W
- Canon PIXMA Pro-200 Printer ($599.99)
- $200 of Moab Fine Art Paper
- Nations Photo $100 gift certificate
- $300 cash
- Large Mounted Print Exhibited in Gallery Show
- Interview posted online
- Award Certificate
2nd Place Prizes (Color and B&W)
- X-Rite i1 ColorChecker Pro Photo Kit ($369.00)
- $100 of Moab Fine Art Paper
- $75 Nations Photo gift certificate
- $200 cash
- Large Mounted Print Exhibited in Gallery Show
- Interview posted online
- Award Certificate
3rd Place Prizes (Color and B&W)
- $50 of Moab Fine Art Paper
- $50 Nations Photo gift certificate
- $100 cash
- Large Mounted Print Exhibited in Gallery Show
- Interview posted online
- Award Certificate
Honorable Mentions (Color and B&W)
- Boxed samples of Moab Fine Art Paper
- $20 Nations Photo gift certificate
- Large Mounted Print Exhibited in Gallery Show
- Refund of all entry fees
- Award Certificate
Submission
Once you register and pay the entry fee, you will immediately receive a receipt via email. That receipt will include a link to a file that includes the simple forms you will need to affix to the back of your prints, as well as the mailing address where you will send your packet. Please note that if you submit three or more prints you will be sent “The Art of the Gallery Show” eBook immediately after the contest deadline (June 30).