The application deadline for this year鈥檚 Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist competition is only a month away, and organizers encourage artists to apply.
The contest, which includes a plein air segment that will see artists working outdoors in scenic locations within the municipality, is designed to promote the arts in 亚洲天堂 Lake while celebrating the municipality鈥檚 first hundred years. A total of $11,000 in prize money and gratuities is up for grabs, making it one of the largest art contests ever held in BC鈥檚 Central Interior, and there is no entry fee.
鈥淪uccessful applicants won鈥檛 have to paint at every plein air event held in 亚洲天堂 Lake this summer,鈥� Michael Riis-Christianson, curator of the Lakes District Museum & Gallery, noted last week. 鈥淭hey may only have to paint outdoors once, and each will receive an additional $100 for producing a work of two-dimensional art in four hours.鈥�
The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist is open to artists with close ties to the Lakes District. First prize, a commission that reflects on or represents 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 first century, is valued at $2,000. More than $2,500 in prize money is also earmarked for artists under the age of 19.
鈥淛unior applicants do not have to participate in the plein air events to win,鈥� Riis-Christianson noted. 鈥淎ll they need to do is fill out a two-page form, get one of their parents to sign it, and send the completed application to us with a copy of their artwork. An impartial jury will judge the entries and award the prizes. Individuals under 19 can enter the plein air events for a chance at the grand prize, but their participation is not mandatory.鈥�
Although interest in the competition has been high 鈥� artists from as far away as Calgary and Toronto have requested application packages 鈥� Riis-Christianson says the museum society hasn鈥檛 received many applications to date.
鈥淲e hope to receive at least two dozen entries from this area,鈥� he said. 鈥淕iven the amount of prize money at stake and the celebrity that will come with being named 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial artist, we hope there will be more interest from the local artists before the deadline. This event is, after all, primarily for them.鈥�
Riis-Christianson said that if the museum society doesn鈥檛 receive enough entries from people with close ties to the community, it may open the competition to anyone.
鈥淥ur generous sponsors want to see this event succeed,鈥� he noted. 鈥淪omeone is going to be named 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist, and we would prefer it was a person from this area.鈥�
The application deadline for The Search for 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 Centennial Artist is March 31, 2023. The event is sponsored by local businesses, individuals, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, and the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake. Artists wanting more information or a copy of the application package can contact the museum society by telephone (250-692-7450) or email (ldmuseumsociety@gmail.com).
