Once again next year, The Hernando County Fine Arts Council and Roots Creative Co. will host the second annual art competition for the 37th Annual Art in the Park on March 13-14th, 2021, at Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville. Hernando County artists of all ages are invited to compete in the Second Annual Art in the Park Poster Contest. No entry fees are charged in this competition, open to artists of all experience levels. And for the first time this year, the contest will host a special division for child artists.
Allisa Babor, Arts Council board member, and contest co-coordinator feels that the competition represents a creative and promotional opportunity for area artists. “In keeping with our mission, this contest gives Hernando County artists an opportunity to share their artwork with the community, and to gain exposure and recognition all while expressing their love and appreciation for beautiful Central Florida,” said Babor, owner of Roots Creative Co. “The winning design will be featured in the commercial promotion of 2021 Art in the Park advertising materials, posters, etc.”
Adult artists will compete for a 1st Place Prize: $250 Cash Prize, interview spotlight on our website, and an online Art Directory space for 1 year; 2nd Place Prize: $125 Cash Prize and an online Art Directory space for 1 year; and 3rd Place Prize: $75 Cash Prize and an online Art Directory space for 1 year. In addition, winners will have their winning design displayed at the Art in the Park Featured Artist Booth.
“The Hernando Arts Directory is the only art directory in Hernando County and we have been getting amazing feedback on it so far,” said Babor. “It launched last year along with this contest! All winners will have the opportunity to display their winning piece at our 37th Annual Art in the Park.”
Child artists will win a 1st Place Prize of a $50 Cash Prize; a 2nd Place Prize of $25 Cash Prize, and a 3rd Place Prize of $10 Cash Prize. Winners will have their winning design displayed at the Student Art Pavilion. All artists under the age of 18 must include parental consent. The Children’s Art Contest is open to children up to age 13.
“Due to the success of last year’s contest, we decided to open up the contest to children!” said Babor. “There is now a children’s category for children up to the age of 13. This is a great chance for students to get real-life experience in the art community here in Hernando.”
Fittingly, it is the Art in the Park (AITP) event itself that serves as the inspiration for this AITP competition. “The 37th Annual Art in the Park is returning to the beautiful Tom Varn Park in Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida,” reads the contest theme. “Designs should reflect and represent Central Florida or the Florida lifestyle. Artists are encouraged to choose subjects that they feel showcase both our area’s beauty and uniqueness.”
Both categories have several design requirements and rules. Please go to www.hernandoarts.org/aitp-poster-contest to learn more or to enter the contest.
Each artist may submit up to 2 designs. Each design must include its own separate entry form. All entries must be submitted by December 26, 2020.
Submissions will be due December 26. The week of January 3, 2021, winners will be announced and notified. On March 13 & 14, 2021, winners will receive awards and prizes.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will have their winning design displayed at Art in the Park at the Featured Artist Booth. Winners must be in attendance during the event. Those with questions can contact Beth Putnam, arts council Vice-chair, at [email protected]
“For me personally, the biggest take away from this contest is the opportunity it gives artists to express themselves and share their work with the community. Our mission with the Arts Council is to encourage, promote, and support all the creative arts in Hernando County and to provide a means to showcase the arts,” said Babor. “This contest does that and more. The overwhelming support of last year taught us that there are so many talented, eager artists in our county. We received over 100 entries during our first contest and we couldn’t be more thankful and excited about the response. We look forward to watching submissions come in and seeing what artists come up with this time around. We know that with the incredible talent in Hernando, there will be many beautiful pieces for us to choose from!”
