Click here for entry form

I did not get my degree in art, am I still eligible to enter?
Yes, the Alumni Art Show is open to all graduates of the University. All artists are encouraged to submit an entry.

Who should I make the check out to?
The check for fifteen ($15) dollars should be made out to WCSU Foundation.

Is the application fee less if I only submit one or two pieces of art?
No, the amount for the application is fee is fifteen ($15) dollars for one (1), two (2) or three (3) pieces of art.

Can I send a photograph or digital image of my entry?
Yes, 35 mm slides, jpgs or good quality photographs and an entry form and the check.

How do I get a 35-mm slide of my painting?
You can take your painting to a commercial photo lab and have them create a slide for you, you can hire a professional photographer, or you can photograph the painting yourself with a 35-mm camera using slide film and have the film developed by a photo lab.

How important is the quality of the slide I send?
Extremely important. This is the only exposure to your painting that our judges will have, and a poor representation—such as a blurred image, glare, dim lighting or unnecessary background objects—will reduce your chances of being chosen. We recommend that paintings be photographed without their frames.

How should I label my slides?
On the front of each slide casing (the side that faces you when you hold it up to be viewed), print the category you're entering, the title of the artwork, the medium used ("watercolor" or "oil," for example), the dimensions of the artwork in inches, and top and bottom directions. On the back of the slide, print your name, mailing address and telephone number. This information is essential because the judging process requires the slides to be separated from their entry forms, and we must be able to identify and contact the entrants from the information printed on the slides. If you can't write directly on the slide casing, write the information on paper cut to fit and paste the paper securely to the slide casing. Remember that if the information is illegible or if it comes loose from the casing during normal handling of the slide, we won't be able to identify you as an entrant.

Can I send more than one entry?
Yes, You may submit up to three (3) entries with the entry form and a check for fifteen ($15) dollars made out to WCSU Foundation.

Which category should I enter?
Whichever category you feel is most appropriate. We will not disqualify any entry on the basis of the category it was entered in, but we reserve the right to re-categorize an entry if it's justified in the opinion of the judges.

Can I enter in more than one category?
Yes, you can enter up to three (3) items in as many different categories as you like, but do not enter a single painting in more than one category. Please group each category's entries together with a rubber band or in separate envelopes within the mailing envelope.

Is sculpture eligible in the competition?
Yes. For a sculpture entry, we recommend that you send slides of the sculpture from more than one viewpoint. Be sure to number each slide ("slide 1 of 3," for example), bundle these slides together (with a rubber band, or in an envelope within the mailing envelope), and attach a brief note that says these are multiple slides of the same entry. That way, we can be sure to keep the slides together.

Is black-and-white artwork eligible?
Yes. Black-and-white and monochromatic works done in media such as graphite, ink, charcoal and Conté crayon are welcome in the competition.

Is an artistic photograph, or a painting-enhanced photograph or photocopied image, eligible?
Yes. If this is the medium of the artist, we would like to see it exhibited. We will also accept beadwork or other artistic medium used to create art. We are not focusing on classwork but work being done after graduation.

My painting is my re-creation of someone else's artwork. Is it eligible?
No. Your entry must be an original, conceived and created only by you. Though all artists take inspiration from one another to some degree, a direct representation of another artist's work will be disqualified from the competition and is in most cases a violation of copyright law.

I've painted a picture of a photo I saw in a magazine. Is it eligible?
No. Artwork based on your own photographs will be accepted, but artwork based on someone else's published photographs will not, and is in most cases a violation of copyright law.

If my painting has appeared in my local newspaper or is posted on my Web site, is it eligible for the competition?
Yes, as long as it is your original artwork, conceived and created by you.  Any showing or publicity your artwork has received, whether posted on a web site or published in the local newspaper, will not disqualify your artwork.

Does my work have to be framed?
All 2-Dimensional work must be framed with appropriate hardware for hanging.

Is there insurance for my artwork while in transport or in the show?
No, there is an agreement form you will sign agreeing that WestConn is not liable for theft or damage.

Can I enter if I don't live in the United States?
Yes, the competition is open to WestConn alumni artists anywhere in the world, and all receive equal consideration.

My painting has been sold. Is it still eligible?
Yes. As long as you're the artist who created it, the ownership status of the artwork is not relevant to the competition, and permission from the owner is not required for entry in the competition unless specific contractual obligations exist between the artist and the owner.

Will my slides be returned?
No. Unfortunately, due to the large number of entries received, we cannot return the slides you send as entries in the competition, even if a return envelope is provided. We recommend all entrants keep a duplicate slide for their own records.

How will I know if my entry has arrived and entered in the show?
If you'd like confirmation of your entry, you can mail your entry with a return receipt from the post office so that they'll notify you of its delivery, or you can include a self-addressed, stamped reply card/envelope with your entry and we'll mail it back to you as soon as we receive it.  You may also call me to verify receipt.

How do I find out the entry results for the show?
All entrants will be notified September 9, 2005.  If your work is accepted for the show, you will receive the necessary forms and additional information.  This package will include:

• An acceptance letter stating which pieces were selected to show
• A contract agreement releasing the University of liability for theft or damage either in transport or while in the show
• A short questionnaire for biography information and artwork description for use in brochure and press releases. 

Entry Deadline: August 29, 2005

Click here for entry form