Tryon Fine Arts Center will hold the first Evening of Excellence, a biennial juried fine arts competition and fundraising event.

The program celebrates the value of arts education in schools and encourages the talents of aspiring young artists. Proceeds from auction will support TFAC’s Arts in Education programming.

The event will include an:
Art exhibit for all entrants: April 26 – May 17
Opening public reception: Saturday, April 26 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Announcement of juried winners: May 6
Reception and auction of student art: Saturday, May 17, Time TBA

Rules of entry:

1. Eligibility – Entrants must be students in grades 9-12 in a 20 mile radius of Tryon Fine Arts Center for the entire academic year, and taking an art class in school or from a prof e s s i o n a l teacher.

2. There is no entry fee for the student or the school.

3. Teachers must submit work for the student.

4. Student deadline for submission to teacher is Friday, April 18, 2014, and to TFAC Thursday, April 24.

5. Number of entries per school: There is currently no maximum number

6. Entries will be classified within one of six categories:

· Drawing – Renderings in pencil, ink, crayon, oil sticks or charcoal. Entries that use more than one type of media should be entered in Mixed Media.
· Mixed Media – Entries in which two or more media are combined in a single two-dimensional entry. Collage is included.
· Painting – Works in oil, acrylic or any plastic paints, watercolors, including tempera, gouache, or casein. Entries that use more than one type of media should be entered in the Mixed Media category.
· Printmaking – Any form of printmaking, traditional (etching, lithograph, intaglio, silkscreen, woodcut) or experimental
· Sculpture – Sculpture, metalsmithing, jewelry, ceramics, glass, textiles or any mixed media with more than 3 inches in depth. 

7. Entries should be finished works of art.

8. Originality: Copy work will not be accepted. All work must be original — developed and created by the student. Students will participate in a professional juried art exhibition and sale. The show juror is a paid position, which will be filled by a known and respected artist from outside of the competition area. The juror will select the top 20 entries from across the categories to be featured at the public reception and auction on May 17.

Winning students will have the opportunity to sell any work submitted at the live auction. Any student whose work is purchased will receive a 40 percent commission from the final sale price of their piece. The balance of the sale proceeds will go to Tryon Fine Arts Center to support Arts in Education programming. Any piece not sold will be returned to the student. All students whose work is accepted into the exhibit will receive an award of participation.

There will be first, second, and third places awarded for each category. Art teachers of winning students will receive commendations. All winners and their schools will receive publicity in regional papers. All pieces will be on exhibit from April 26-May 17. We will be in contact with you regarding your students’ participation.

If you have any questions, contact Marianne Carruth, director of education: 828-859-8322 ext. 213 or marianne@tryonarts.org.

– article submitted by Marianne Carruth