Minnesota Artists Called to Apply to Create 2013 State Fair Commemorative Art

ST. PAUL, MINN. (08/13/2012)(readMedia)-- The Minnesota State Fair is asking local artists to apply to create the 2013 official commemorative art of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Artists are encouraged to attend this year's State Fair, Aug. 23 through Labor Day, Sept. 3, for inspiration. The final piece will be the chosen artist's visual interpretation of this annual event and will be unveiled to coincide with the 2013 State Fair.

The 2013 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art will be the 10th in a series of annual artwork created exclusively for the Great Minnesota Get-Together. This is the third year the State Fair is issuing a call for submissions. Last year St. Paul artist Joe Heffron was selected from nearly 50 applicants. In previous years, Minnesota artists have included: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (2004), Mary GrandPré (2005), Nancy Carlson (2006), Michael Birawer (2007), Edie Abnet (2008), Leo Stans (2009), Deborah Voyda Rogers (2010) and Steve Thomas (2011). A gallery of past artwork is available at mnstatefair.org/art.

This call for submissions is open to Minnesota residents only, age 18 and older, working primarily in two-dimensional media. There is no entry fee and the deadline for applications is Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, by 4:30 p.m.

After applications have been received, a panel of judges will invite a short list of applicants to present and share, in an interview-like setting, their artist statement and supporting sketch/drawing of their State Fair visual interpretation. Then the panel will select one official artist to finish his/her artwork. The final piece will be unveiled at the State Fairgrounds in the spring of 2013. The official artist will receive a commission of $5,000.

Once the artist is selected and the piece is complete, the commemorative poster, a limited number of signed giclee prints and other merchandise featuring the art will be available for purchase beginning in summer 2013. Proceeds will support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3) mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences. The original art will be on display during the 12-day run of the 2013 State Fair.

For more information about this call for submissions and to view detailed application requirements please visit mnstatefair.org/art or email fairinfo@mnstatefair.org.