Pennsylvania's First Lady Invites Artists to Apply for Art of the State

Pennsylvania's First Lady Susan Corbett invites artists throughout the state to apply for an opportunity to showcase their work in Art of the State®: Pennsylvania 2011, a juried art exhibition that is open to state residents.

It will run from June 19 to Sept. 11 at The State Museum in Harrisburg. Artists can compete in five categories which include painting, works on paper, photography, sculpture, and craft.

"The 44th annual Art of the State exhibit will provide a showcase for artists across the state and allow State Museum visitors to view the work of many talented artists," said First Lady Susan Corbett. "This is a wonderful opportunity for the established or emerging artist to exhibit their work and receive statewide recognition."

Applications are available online at www.statemuseumpa.org or at the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council, exhibition co-sponsor, at 717-238-5180 or online at www.harrisburgarts.org. The application deadline is Feb. 28.

Those judging the exhibition will include:
Maxine Gaiber, Executive Director, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, Del. Works on Paper.
Brian H. Peterson, Photographer and The Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest Chief Curator, The James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pa. Photography.
Beth Ann Gerstein, Executive Director, The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, Mass. Three-Dimensional Craft and Sculpture.
Ricardo Viera, Director Curator, Lehigh University Art Galleries, Bethlehem, Pa. Awards Juror.

More than $7,000 in cash awards will be presented at an opening reception at The State Museum on Saturday, June 18. A first prize of $500, second prize of $300, and third prize of $200 will be awarded in each of the five categories. Additional awards are $250 for the Rose Roy Memorial Award Honoring Volunteerism and the $250 for the William D. Davis Memorial Award for Drawing. The State Museum will select one of the pieces to art to display. The artist will receive a $2,000 Purchase Prize.
Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2011 is co-sponsored by The State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council.

Learn more about the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission-the official history agency of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania-at www.phmc.state.pa.us.