Entries Sought for ICPL’s 2015 Art Purchase Prize

The Iowa City Public Library will begin accepting artwork for the 2015 Art Purchase Prize, with winning pieces added to the Art-To-Go collection, on Sept. 1.

The competition is open to artists over the age 18 who live/work/exhibit in the Iowa City or the Johnson County area, and have participated in at least one juried or judged competition.

In order to foster new talent, previous winners who have had two or more works purchased by the Library are ineligible for entry. Previous winners who have had one work purchased must sit out for two consecutive contests before entering again. Library employees and their immediate family are ineligible for entry.

To enter, artists should submit a digital image representation of their original work(s), and those should be in .jpeg format, with a minimum resolution of 72 dpi and a minimum size of 1024 x 768 pixels.

Entries can be emailed to csmith@icpl.org, or mailed on disc to Candice Smith at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Entries must include the artist's name, address, phone number and email, and the following for each artwork: Title, Medium, Size/Matted Size (if appropriate), and Price.

Artwork should be priced under $300.

Artists may enter two artworks. Any two-dimensional or low-relief media are acceptable, including: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, collage, paper/textile and mixed media.

Only original art will be accepted. All submitted artwork must have been created within the last three years.

Finished artwork must be at least 12 x 12 and no larger than 36 x 36. Works chosen for final judging should be matted and/or mounted as needed to create a finished piece. Archival or museum-quality materials must be used for printing, mounting and matting. Works must be suitable for framing and covering with Plexiglas.

The Library takes responsibility for framing works chosen for purchase.

Entries will be accepted from Sept. 1 through Oct. 4. The first round of judging will begin on Oct. 6, with the final round of judging on Oct. 13.

For more information, visit www.icpl.org/art/prize or contact Candice Smith at Candice-Smith@icpl.org