Midwest Artists Invited to Apply for Michigan Fine Arts Competition

The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center is looking for entries for the annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition — but this year, it's not just about Michigan.

This year, the juried art exhibit and competition — to be held June 28-Aug. 23 at the area art center on Cranbrook — will welcome artists from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin.

"We're very excited about expanding the scope of this important exhibit and are eager to see the influx of work from Michigan's neighboring states," said Annie VanGelderen, BBAC president and CEO.

"Our intent, in broadening the show, is to also increase visitors to Michigan and to the BBAC. The show is scheduled for almost two months this summer to give local and traveling art lovers the opportunities to see Midwest talent," she added.

This is the 31st year for the Michigan Fine Arts Competition, one of the largest fine arts competition in Michigan. The BBAC inherited the competition from the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1982 and typically attracts 500-600 entries, with 100 pieces of art chosen for the final show.

The BBAC will award a total of $10,000 to the winners.

This year's jurist is Minneapolis resident Brad Durham, a nationally-exhibited painter whose works can be found in the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts and at the Nestles Corportation.

All artists looking to enter the competition must be 18 years or older. The deadline to apply is May 20. To apply online, visit www.bbartcenter.org.

For more

• Detroit Woman Wins First Prize in Michigan Fine Arts Competition at BBAC