Create The Mon - Call for Art

WV Rivers Coalition and West Virginians for Public Lands “Create the Mon” Art Exhibition in Petersburg: Rules and Guidelines 

Overview 

The Mon National Forest provides clean drinking water, healthy forest ecosystems for wildlife protection, and recreation opportunities. The Mon Forest is also a muse to inspire our artistic souls. What better time to produce art than as part of National Public Lands, September 28, 2024?

Last year, we had a digital show in honor of our Mon Forest and National Public Lands. This year, we provide those that join us to ‘Create the Mon’ a live, in –person, art exhibition.

The Art Exhibition runs from October 25, 2024, to November 30, 2024, at the South Side Studios Gallery, 126 South Main Street, Petersburg, WV. Opening night will take place at the Gallery on October 25, 2024 from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Artists are highly encouraged to attend the opening, but not required to attend the opening. Poetry, readings, and other performative arts may be presented during the opening.

You may submit three pieces of art for consideration to the show that relate to the theme of celebrating the Mon National Forest. This is a juried opportunity. The jury consists of staff and board members of the WV Rivers Coalition and South Side Studios WV. Submissions close at midnight on September 28th. (Happy Public Lands Day!)

Art Exhibit Theme 

We believe all can “Create the Mon.” We’re looking for art done in, and inspired by, the Mon Forest. Art in any medium– pastels, oil, pencil, poetry, pottery, song, dance, photography – is accepted - the only limit is your imagination. 

Eligibility 

• The contest is open to all artists, amateur or professional, of all ages. 
• Art must be created in, or inspired by, the Mon National Forest.

Remember we are visiting the Mon Forest, and the forest is home to many animal and plant species - some that live only in the Mon. Please do not move, rearrange, damage, or destroy any part of the forest or any element found in the forest. 

Submission Guidelines – There is no fee to apply or to participate!

• Submission Period: Submissions will be accepted from September 5, 2024, to September 28, 2024. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on September 28, 2024. 
• File Format: Some representation of the art must be submitted at the 'Submit Photo' link provided at the bottom of this page (even if art is not a photograph). Photographs must be submitted in JPEG format. For other art, such as audio and video, we request a sample image accompanied by a link to the audio/video file. Any poems or other written media may be submitted. All Files should be high resolution.
• Entry Limit: Participants may submit up to three works of art. 
• Participants in our 2023 digital gallery are eligible, and considered submitted. Any Art in our 2023 digital gallery will be part of the Petersburg Art Exhibition so long as the artist will deliver to and pick up the art from the South Side Studios Gallery.
• Art Delivery and Pickup – ALL Art Accepted into the Exhibit must be delivered to South Side Studios Gallery, 126 South Main Street, Petersburg, WV between October 10-19, 2024; and picked up from South Side Studios Gallery, 126 South Main Street, Petersburg, WV between December 2-7, 2024. The Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Photography, paintings/drawings, and similar should be framed or mounted.

Art Requirements 

• Originality: All art must be original work, done by the entrant. Previously created or published art are welcome, provided that the entrant has the full rights to the image and grants WV Rivers Coalition permission to present the art and republish the art in a guide and/or related promotional materials. 
• Content: Art must be created in, or inspired by the Mon Forest.
• Photos must not contain any watermarks, borders, or signatures. 
• Editing: Minimal editing is allowed (e.g., cropping, color correction). 
• Permissions: If your art includes identifiable people, you must obtain their permission to submit the art and provide a signed release form upon request. 

Judging Criteria 

• Relevance to Theme: How well the art captures the theme “Create the Mon.”
• Composition: Variable by medium.
• Creativity: Originality and artistic expression. 

Prizes 

• The People’s Choice: The art designated ‘The People’s Choice’ will be selected by based on the votes of attendees to the opening of the Art Exhibit on October 25, 2024. The People’s Choice winner will receive a prize of $100; and may be featured on our website, blogs, and social media.
• Honorable Mentions: Up to five honorable mentions may be selected and featured on our website, blogs, and social media. 

Announcement of Accepted Art 

• Artists will be notified via email by October 9, 2024. 
• The official announcement and additional promotions will be made on WV Rivers Coalition’s and West Virginians for Public Lands website and social media platforms, and by the South Side Studios Gallery in October 2024. 

For any inquiries regarding the contest, please contact Mike Jones at mjones@wvrivers.org. 

There is no fee to apply and no fee to participate. You are welcome to price your art for sale. The venue takes a 30% commission on any sales. Further details and an agreement regarding sales will be included with the notification of acceptance to the show.

We look forward to seeing your beautiful and inspiring art demonstrating that we all “Create the Mon.”