The Crosby Arboretum Foundation will hold its inaugural art competition, A Piney Woods Art Affair, in April with nearly two weeks of activity leading up to three days of public display, according to Senior Curator Jill Mirkovich. The facility, part of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, honors the native flora of the Pearl River Drainage Basin and all entries should depict some aspect of the Piney Woods region plant or animal life or culture.
Arboretum officials have defined two categories of art to be considered. Visual arts, including paintings in oil, acrylic or watercolor, drawings and photography make up Category A. Three-dimensional works comprise the B Category and may include ceramics, sculpture, metal, wood or heritage crafts. Although there is no registration fee, each item entered must be accompanied by a $10 entry fee. Students in grades 7-12 may participate free of charge.
Awards for adults, awarded in both categories, include $150, a family membership to the Arboretum and a copy of the book “The Crosby Arboretum” by Robert Brzuszek for first place. Second place winners receive $75 and a family membership, while third place earns $50 and six one-day passes to the Arboretum.
Student prizes include: first place, a plaque and a family membership to the Arboretum; second place, a ribbon and six day passes; third place, a ribbon and two day passes. Ribbons will be awarded for Honorable Mention. The top four placements also receive a Mississippi State Bulldogs lanyard.
Onsite registration and delivery of art begins at 10 a.m. on April 1 and continues on April 2 and 4 until 4 p.m. each day. Entries will be accepted on April 8 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. as display set up begins and continues 10 a.m-4 p.m. April 9.
The show opens on Friday, April 10 at 10 a.m. and is open to the public until 4 p.m. Judging takes place on Saturday, April 11 with the show open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 will see the show open to the public at 1 p.m. in conjunction with the Crosby Arboretum Strawberries and Cream Event. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.
Removal of the art begins and 3 p.m. All art removal must be completed by 4 p.m., Saturday April 18.
The entry form with complete rules is available on line. The completed form may be submitted in advance by mail or brought to the Arboretum beginning April 1. Appropriate fees should accompany the registration form.
The Crosby Arboretum
370 Ridge Road
Picayune, MS 39466
Originally appeared 03/11/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/the-crosby-arboretum-foundation-inaugural-art-show-scheduled-for-april
