Mississippi Masterpieces Art & Songwriting Contest

Art Division

Rules and Regulations

Mississippi Masterpieces is an art and songwriting competition hosted by the City of Gautier in

celebration of the state’s bicentennial. The contest and final event are meant to explore and celebrate

the history and culture of Mississippi.

All art entries must be submitted to Gautier City Hall, located at 3330 Highway 90, Gautier, MS

39553, by 5 p.m. on October 5, 2017.

Grand Prizes

Youth Division (13-17 Years Old) $500 Purchase Prize

Adult Division (18+) $1,250 Purchase Prize

Both division winners’ art will be purchased by Merchants & Marine Bank for display in the new

Gautier branch. Adult art will hang in the lobby. Youth art will hang in the community room.

Rules and Regulations

1. Art submissions MUST be themed around Mississippi’s history and/or culture.

2. Winners will be chosen by a select panel of professional artists. Submissions will be judged

based upon visual impact, originality, craftsmanship/skill level, composition, and clarity in

communicating the theme.

3. Each submission must be contestant's original work.

4. Adult division canvas must be 30”x40” or 36”x48.” Youth division canvas must be 18”x24”

or 20”x24.”

5. Canvas must be unframed, with kiln-dried stretcher bars and a minimum of 1.5” gallery-

wrapped edges. Edges must be painted. No side staples.

6. Any medium accepted (oil, acrylic, mixed media, etc.)

7. Gloss coating protectant should be applied to protect artwork from UV light, moisture, and

dust.

8. Contest is open to amateur and professional artists.

9. A brief narrative of how your submission honors and celebrates the history and culture of the

State of Mississippi MUST be provided on the official registration form.

10. Entry constitutes permission to use winners’ names, likenesses, and voices for future

advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation.

11. If artist desires to make prints of the art, it is highly suggested that the art be photographed

prior to submittal. Winning artists will retain print rights to their work.

12. All art submissions will be juried for selection and participation in the final art show on Nov.

10, 2017.

13. By submitting art in the contest, artist agrees to participate in the final art show, upon

selection.

14. Art sales will be allowed at the final event, the Mississippi Masterpieces bicentennial art show.

All art sales must be a private transaction between the artist and the purchaser.

15. The City of Gautier will maintain possession of all art from the time of submission until the

final art show on Nov. 10, 2017.

16. Artists may retrieve their artwork after the art show ends at 9 p.m. on Nov. 10, 2017. All

remaining art must be picked up from Gautier City Hall by 5 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2017.