Thursday, October 21, 2010

2010 Midwest Collegiate "Call for Entries"


Attention all Associate, Bachelor, and Masters Degree candidates with an interest in the visual arts, currently enrolled at a Midwest Regional public or private college or university. No matter what major, if you paint, illustrate, sculpt, design, draw, photograph, or just create art, you are eligible to enter the 4th Annual Fine Art Finals Midwest Scholarship Competition.


Media accepted into Midwest Collegiate Regional Scholarship Competition include:

  • Drawing - graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, marker, pastel, charcoal, etc.
  • Painting - oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, etc.
  • Printmaking - etching, lithography, screen-printing, etc.
  • Sculpture -clay, ceramic, plaster, marble, glass, wood, resin, metal, porcelain, etc
  • Jewelry - gemstones, precious metals, or other materials, etc.
  • Fibers - textiles, fabrics, yarn, natural and synthetic fibers, etc.
  • Photography - traditional and digital.
  • Digital Art - please see information page for details
  • Graphic Design - traditional and digital, see information page for digital details
Collegiate Scholarship Awards:
First Place: $1200
Second Place: $600
Third Place: $300
Two Honorable Mentions: $50
Collegiate Deadline:
Must be postmarked by
Friday, November 19, 2010

Notification of Finalists by E-mail: January 7, 2011
Notification of Winners by E-mail: January 17, 2011
Scholarships mailed to Winners: January 31, 2011


Midwest Region includes the following States:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Ohio, South Dakota, & Wisconsin

To view previous Finalists and Winners, including those of the Second Annual Midwest Collegiate Scholarship Competition of 2009, click here

Interview with Daniel Chudzinski


Daniel Chudzinski from Bowling Green State University in Ohio was the First Place winner of the $1200 Scholarship Award in the 2009 Fine Art Finals Midwest Regional Scholarship Competition with his mixed media sculpture Virgil: The Ragtime Relic pictured above. Daniel was kind to take part in a brief interview. Here is what he said:

Fine Art Finals: Why do you create art?


Daniel Chudzinski: I cannot remember a time when I was not creating art. I can imagine a life without food more easily than a life without art.

Fine Art Finals: What are you trying to say with your art?

Daniel Chudzinski: Above all, I strive to provoke a strong emotional response from my viewers. Whether it is joy, laughter, or tears. I push to present a narrative in such a way, that people will continue thinking about the story long after they leave the art. In short, I hope to unite concept, technical ability, and narrative in order to present to the viewer something they have never seen before.

Fine Art Finals: How long have you been creating art?

Daniel Chudzinski: According to my Mother, when I was three years old she discovered me drawing on the back of a new Lazy-Boy recliner with markers. Before she could issue a proper reprimand, she realized she could identify the exact species of dinosaurs that I was illustrating. From that point on my family encouraged my artwork. So you could say that I started with cave paintings, like the rest of civilization.

Fine Art Finals: Are your family and friends supportive in your decision to pursue art?

Daniel Chudzinski: To say my family and friends are supportive would be an enormous understatement. Just this past weekend my parents (an attorney and a biology professor with no prior sculpting experience) helped me cast two life-size figures for my MFA exhibition. My grandfather donated his backyard for the process (which required two enormous pits and much machinery). Tomorrow, they are helping me to cast my first monumental figure. Without their unconditional support and unceasing encouragement I would not have survived as an artist.

Fine Art Finals: What is your area of concentration in art (commercial art, fine art, art history, etc) and why?

Daniel Chudzinski: I began as an illustrator and discovered sculpture much later. Believe it or not, I was initially planning to be a lawyer like my father. That changed going into my senior year of college when I saw the Sistine Chapel ceiling for the first time. I realized two things at that moment: I would not be going to law school, and I would spend the rest of my life trying to create a work of art that would make someone else feel the way Michelangelo’s masterpiece had made me feel that day.

Fine Art Finals: What is your major?

I am currently working on my MFA in 3-D studies (sculpture). Prior to that I completed a B.A. in European History and a B.F.A. in sculpture at Miami University of Ohio.


Fine Art Finals: What was the deciding factor in choosing the school you are attending (attended)?

Daniel Chudzinski: There were many reasons I chose Bowling Green. The deciding factor was my advisor’s willingness to allow me to relentlessly pursue my dreams, no matter how ambitious they were. Over the course of the past two years I have realized many of those dreams. I honestly feel that BGSU is the only program through which I could achieve what I have accomplished artistically in the past two years.

Fine Art Finals: Why did you choose the specific art program you chose at your school?

Daniel Chudzinski: During a nation-wide search for graduate sculpture programs, I decided to visit Bowling Green State University . Having been raised thirty minutes away I was convinced that I already knew what they had to offer. I was wrong. Within minutes of meeting Shawn Morin (the head of the sculpture program) and viewing the facilities and artwork, I knew I had found a program in which I could thrive as an artist.

Fine Art Finals: What is your favorite medium(s) to work in and why?

Daniel Chudzinski: I am constantly experimenting with new materials and discovering new ways to convey narratives. Through Virgil, I realized my interest in working with found objects. I love the notion of utilizing materials that others have consciously rejected or thrown away, in order to create something desirable.

Fine Art Finals: What is your philosophy and work ethic in creating your art?

Daniel Chudzinski: Michelangelo said it best: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Artists should never allow themselves to reside in a comfort zone. This leads to stagnation and predictability. When creating art, it is necessary to bite-off more than you can chew.

Fine Art Finals: Who is your favorite artist(s) and why?

Daniel Chudzinski: I would not say that I have a single favorite artist. I draw inspiration from many sources. However, I have always felt a personal connection to Michelangelo. He was completely devoted to his artwork, even when working on commissions he did not want (the Sistine Chapel ceiling). He refused to settle for anything short of excellence, whether it was sculpture, painting, or architecture. Most admirably, he was working on a sculpture six days before he died (he was 89). The passion never left him.

Fine Art Finals: Do you have any other interests beyond art; what are they and do these interests influence your art?

Daniel Chudzinski: I have many interests beyond art. To name a few: history, animals, the outdoors, kayaking, power-lifting, inspirational stories, taxidermy, archery and fencing.

Fine Art Finals: Is there a specific career path you wish to follow utilizing your artistic talents, and if so, what is your plan for utilizing your artistic skills in the future?

Daniel Chudzinski: I am working towards becoming a professional sculptor.

Fine Art Finals: How do (did) you support yourself financially while attending college?

Daniel Chudzinski: I received a graduate assistantship and had saved money from previous commissions to help pay for personal expenses and art supplies.

Fine Art Finals: How did you hear about Fine Art Finals Scholarship Competitions?

Daniel Chudzinski: I first heard about Fine Art Finals through other students at BGSU.

Fine Art Finals: How has winning or placing in Fine Art Finals Scholarship Competitions helped you?

Daniel Chudzinski: Winning the Fine Art Finals Scholarship competition helped to pay for some of the supplies required to cast two monumental archangels and two life-size figures in plaster for my M.F.A. Exhibition this spring. I have received congratulatory e-mails from many of my peers and faculty members after my success in the Fine Art Finals competition. It has also allowed my work to reach a new audience.

Fine Art Finals: What advice would you give other student artists?

Daniel Chudzinski: It is only impossible until you do it. If you are willing to put in the work and make the necessary sacrifices, your artwork will reward you.

Fine Art Finals: Thank you Daniel. Congratulations again, and we wish you continued success!

Interview with Alyson Dells


Alyson Dells from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University in Michigan was the Second Place winner of the $600 Scholarship Award in the 2009 Fine Art Finals Midwest Regional Scholarship Competition with her oil on salvaged window painting Alana pictured above. Alyson was kind to take part in a brief interview. Here is what she said:

Fine Art Finals: Why do you create art?


Alyson Dells:
I create art because it is a way to communicate. I paint a view of the world around me so people can see and hopefully understand something differently.

Fine Art Finals: What are you trying to say with your art?

Alyson Dells
: Right now I paint people on salvaged windows that have been used in a home and I play with the transparency of the windows with the paintings. This visually expresses a dichotomy between feeling permanent and impermanent.

Fine Art Finals: How long have you been creating art?
Link
Alyson Dells: I have always loved to create, formally I started taking classes in high school.

Fine Art Finals: Are your family and friends supportive in your decision to pursue art?

Alyson Dells: My family and friends are very supportive of my decision to be an artist, better than I could ever ask for.

Fine Art Finals: What is your area of concentration in art (commercial art, fine art, art history, etc) and why?

Alyson Dells: I concentrate on fine art and art history because I think it is important to understand why and how people have always created art. An understanding of this pushes me to create

Fine Art Finals: What was the deciding factor in choosing the school you are attending (attended)?

Alyson Dells: The deciding factor for choosing Kendall was the cost and location.

Fine Art Finals: What is your major?

Alyson Dells: I am a painting Major.

Fine Art Finals: Why did you choose the specific art program you chose at your school?

Alyson Dells: Originally I wanted to be an Art Education major to help others understand and appreciate the value of art. As I continued to paint I realized that I wanted to pursue it as a career. I also realized that if I could make art and support myself, eventually I could continue my education and teach others to do the same.

Fine Art Finals: What is your favorite medium(s) to work in and why?

Alyson Dells: I work mostly with watercolor and oil and I like to experiment and work with collage as well. Also I tend to work in waves so the mediums somewhat work together. For example, when I have been painting with watercolors for a while and switch to oils, the process of making every mark matter with watercolor effects how I handle the oil paint. This is my favorite part of painting and being able to explore different mediums.

Fine Art Finals: What is your philosophy and work ethic in creating your art?

Alyson Dells: In creating my art I try to stay grounded in technique and craft because I think that they give a work of art validity. Also its important to me to understand where I find my motivation because it explains why I am creating a work of art and keeps me driven.

Fine Art Finals: Who is your favorite artist(s) and why?

Alyson Dells: I have many favorite artists! John Singer Sargent inspires me because of his brushstrokes and the way he defines the figure. Michael Borremans is also great with the atmosphere he creates within a painting. Jerome Witkin is also a favorite because of his compositions.

Fine Art Finals: What artist most influences your work and why?

Alyson Dells: The previous three influence my work because I admire the way they paint. More importantly I am influenced by my peers and artists around me. I have been fortunate to be in an environment of very talented artists that have helped me to learn valuable skills.

Fine Art Finals: Do you have any other interests beyond art; what are they and do these interests influence your art?

Alyson Dells: I love to hike and be outdoors and this influences my work because I am constantly inspired when I am in nature. I am inspired by the pure beauty that exists outside of human industry.

Fine Art Finals: Is there a specific career path you wish to follow utilizing your artistic talents, and if so, what is your plan for utilizing your artistic skills in the future?

Alyson Dells: I hope to have studio and create art as my career. I also plan to complete a masters program and eventually teach.

Fine Art Finals: How do (did) you support yourself financially while attending college?

Alyson Dells: I worked part time.

Fine Art Finals: Have you received any other financial assistance (Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, etc) to pursue your education?

Alyson Dells: At Kendall I received a Portfolio Scholarship and the Kendall Merit Scholarship.

Fine Art Finals: How did you hear about Fine Art Finals Scholarship Competitions?

Alyson Dells: Through my friends and other students.

Fine Art Finals: How has winning or placing in Fine Art Finals Scholarship Competitions helped you?

Alyson Dells: Winning this has made me more confident in my work and motivates me to create more.

Fine Art Finals: What advice would you give other student artists?

Alyson Dells: I would tell other student artists to keep working at what they love. If they feel that art is important and what they need to do, then do it. There is no specific career path in art so I think as long as you make sure you are staying true to what is motivating you to create than as an artist you will find a way to make it work.

Fine Art Finals: Thank you Alyson. Congratulations again, and we wish you continued success!

Interview with Kelly Robinson


Kelly Robinson from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Illinois was an Honorable Mention of the $50 Scholarship Award in the 2009 Fine Art Finals Midwest Regional Scholarship Competition with her jewelry Inner Tube Bracelet pictured above. Kelly was kind to take part in a brief interview. Here is what she said:

Fine Art Finals: Why do you create art?


Kelly Robinson:
It is what I love to do, and I believe I was born to do it.

Fine Art Finals: What are you trying to say with your art?

Kelly Robinson: Humor and beauty are all around us.

Fine Art Finals: How long have you been creating art?

Kelly Robinson: Since age 4-5 .

Fine Art Finals: Are your family and friends supportive in your decision to pursue art?

Kelly Robinson: Yes, they encourage me and like to show off some of my work to their friends at times.

Fine Art Finals: What is your area of concentration in art (commercial art, fine art, art history, etc) and why?

Kelly Robinson: Metals and jewelry-fine craft. It is a wonderful medium to work with.

Fine Art Finals: What was the deciding factor in choosing the school you are attending (attended)?

Kelly Robinson: I was awarded a special stipend with no work requirements for the first year, and it was close to home.

Fine Art Finals: What is your major?

Kelly Robinson: Metalsmithing.

Fine Art Finals: Why did you choose the specific art program you chose at your school?

Kelly Robinson: Because of the background I already had in the medium.

Fine Art Finals: What is your favorite medium(s) to work in and why?

Kelly Robinson: It's really hard to choose just one, but if I could afford to work primarily in gold I would.

Fine Art Finals: What is your philosophy and work ethic in creating your art?

Kelly Robinson: Work hard, play hard. Experiment, take risks, try not to be afraid to fail.

Fine Art Finals: Who is your favorite artist(s) and why?

Kelly Robinson: There not one, but I really like pop art.

Fine Art Finals: What artist most influences your work and why?

Kelly Robinson: No one specific artist, Roy Lichtenstein is great.

Fine Art Finals: Do you have any other interests beyond art; what are they and do these interests influence your art?

Kelly Robinson: I played roller derby just before beginning graduate school, having a sport or physical activity is always a plus. I love growing veggies in my garden as well.

Fine Art Finals: Is there a specific career path you wish to follow utilizing your artistic talents, and if so, what is your plan for utilizing your artistic skills in the future?

Kelly Robinson: Selling a line of jewelry, and teaching.

Fine Art Finals: How do (did) you support yourself financially while attending college?

Kelly Robinson: 100% student loans, and stipend.

Fine Art Finals: Have you received any other financial assistance (Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, etc) to pursue your education?

Kelly Robinson: Yes, I received a Competitive Graduate Award from my school SIUE, it has been a blessing. Full tuition waiver, plus monthly stipend award.

Fine Art Finals: How did you hear about Fine Art Finals Scholarship Competitions?

Kelly Robinson: From my professors at SIUE.

Fine Art Finals: How has winning or placing in Fine Art Finals Scholarship Competitions helped you?

Kelly Robinson: It has given my work great exposure and the award money has helped me purchase art supplies.

Fine Art Finals: What advice would you give other student artists?

Kelly Robinson: Do your best, research and experiment... as long as it continues to help you grow then it is fun

Fine Art Finals: Thank you Kelly. Congratulations again, and we wish you continued success!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

2010 Midwest Collegiate "Call for Entries"


Attention all Associate, Bachelor, and Masters Degree candidates with an interest in the visual arts, currently enrolled at a Midwest Regional public or private college or university. No matter what major, if you paint, illustrate, sculpt, design, draw, photograph, or just create art, you are eligible to enter the 4th Annual Fine Art Finals Midwest Scholarship Competition.


Media accepted into Midwest Collegiate Regional Scholarship Competition include:

  • Drawing - graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, marker, pastel, charcoal, etc.
  • Painting - oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, etc.
  • Printmaking - etching, lithography, screen-printing, etc.
  • Sculpture -clay, ceramic, plaster, marble, glass, wood, resin, metal, porcelain, etc
  • Jewelry - gemstones, precious metals, or other materials, etc.
  • Fibers - textiles, fabrics, yarn, natural and synthetic fibers, etc.
  • Photography - traditional and digital.
  • Digital Art - please see information page for details
  • Graphic Design - traditional and digital, see information page for digital details
Collegiate Scholarship Awards:
First Place: $1200
Second Place: $600
Third Place: $300
Two Honorable Mentions: $50
Collegiate Deadline:
Must be postmarked by
Friday, November 19, 2010

Notification of Finalists by E-mail: January 7, 2011
Notification of Winners by E-mail: January 17, 2011
Scholarships mailed to Winners: January 31, 2011


Midwest Region includes the following States:

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Ohio, South Dakota, & Wisconsin

To view previous Finalists and Winners, including those of the Second Annual Midwest Collegiate Scholarship Competition of 2009, click here

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

2010 W/SW Collegiate Artwork Posted

ABOVE ARTWORK:
FIRST PLACE: Identities
by Mike Miller
Oil on Canvas - 48" x 36" - Laguna College of Art & Design - CA

Click here to see the
Best of the West/Southwest 2010!

2010 W/SW Collegiate Winners Announced

The Winners of the 2010 West/Southwest Scholarship Competition have been posted to our website. Artwork will be posted soon.

View the West/Southwest Winner & Finalist list - here

All emails have been sent notifying the Winners. Congratulations to all the Winners, Finalists, and thank you to all who entered!

2010 IL HS Artwork Posted


Above Artwork:
FIRST PLACE: Anita by Aneta Prusak
Acrylic on Film - 8" x 10" - Reavis High School - Burbank, IL

CLICK HERE TO SEE
THE BEST OF IL HS 2010!


Monday, June 14, 2010

2010 IL HS Winners Announced

The 2010 Illinois High School Winners have been announced on our website and all winners and their High schools have been notified by email. Artwork to be posted soon.

2010 W/SW Collegiate Finalists Chosen

The 2010 West/Southwest Collegiate Finalists have been announced on our website and all the finalists have been notified by email. Winners will be announced June 21st, artwork to be posted soon after.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

2010 IL HS Finalists Chosen

The 2010 Illinois High School Finalists have been announced on our website and all finalists have been notified by email, along with their High School Art Teachers. Winners to be announced on June 14th, artwork posted soon after.

SEE THE 2010 IL HS
FINALIST LIST HERE


Thank you to all who entered!

Friday, May 14, 2010

2010 IL HS Competition Deadline EXTENDED

We are extending the deadline for the 2010 Fine Art Finals Illinois High School State Scholarship Competition due to an extremely low number of submissions. In hopes to come closer to our $1300 scholarship award total given to winning students and their schools' art department, the deadline will now be Friday, May 28, 2010. Please understand that in our previous 2 Illinois High School competitions, the entries have never fully paid for the awards given, thus relying on our Collegiate competitions to cover the High School scholarship awards, while barely covering their own. This is why we haven't yet opened the High School competitions to other states. This year, the entry numbers are really low, which gives better chances for winning, which also means money for your schools' art program in this failing economy where art budgets are the first to be cut if one of your students win. We tried not having to extend the deadline, however, other much larger national and even international art competitions regularly extends their deadlines. Please visit our website for 2010 Illinois High School Entry Forms - HERE

New EXTENDED IL HS Calendar:

Final Cut-off Extended Deadline:
Must be Postmarked by Friday, May 28, 2010


Notification of Finalists by E-mail: June 7, 2010
Notification of Winners by E-mail: June 14, 2010
Scholarships mailed to Winners: June 21, 2010

2010 W/SW Collegiate Competition CLOSED



The 2010
West/Southwest Collegiate Competition is now CLOSED.
Please check back for results.


Notification of Finalists by E-mail: June 11, 2010
Notification of Winners by E-mail: June 21, 2010
Scholarships mailed to Winners: July 5, 2010

Friday, May 7, 2010

LAST DAY TO ENTER W/SW COLLEGIATE AND IL HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITIONS!

Today is the last day to enter the
West/Southwest Collegiate competition and the Illinois High School competition.
Visit website for entry forms and entry rules.
_____________________________

W/SW Collegiate Deadline:
Must be postmarked by
Friday, May 7, 2010
_____________________________

IL High School Deadline:
Must be postmarked by
Friday, May 7, 2010
_____________________________