ABOUT THE SEASONS OF CHANGE ART AWARD

• The Seasons of Change exhibition is for portraits of seniors (Born between 1923 and 1956) who live in the Wheatbelt Region (please see HERE for eligible towns within this area).

• Entry is open to local, interstate and international artists.

• The overall winner receives $2000.

• All other exhibited entries are eligible for the People’s Choice Award of $1000 and the Youth Award of $500 (for artists between the ages 12 to 24).

• The Seasons of Change awards are non-acquisitive.

• The exhibition of finalists’ paintings is to be held at the Merredin Railway Museum, Refreshment Room from April 13 to May 5, 2024.

THE WORK

• The entered work must be a titled “Portrait of your subject's name”.

• The artwork does not have to have been painted in the Wheatbelt.

• The term ‘portrait’ is to be understood as a painting, drawing, photograph or collage (predominantly featuring the face) of a person from the Wheatbelt.

• All artworks entered by the Artist must be the original work and concept of the Artist.

• A third party may not enter any works on behalf of an Artist.

• The entered work must be new (completed within the previous 12 months) and be the absolute property of the Artist, and must not have been shown previously or entered in any other competition.

• All artworks entered must be done so with consent from the subject prior to application. It is the responsibility of the artist to ensure the consent has been granted, the subject is aware of the exhibition and all information provided about the subject is for public consumption.

• The finished artwork, including the frame, must be no larger than A3 size (landscape or portrait) 297mm x 420mm

• An Artist may enter several artworks, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form with all relevant support material.

ENTERING SEASONS OF CHANGE ART AWARD

• Entry is open to artists from anywhere in the world.

• All entries are to be made electronically when entries open.

• Entries open: 8:00am (AWST) Monday December 4, 2023.

• Entries close: 6.00 pm (AWST) Friday March 15, 2024. No late or incomplete entries will be accepted.

• Entry in the Award is through pre-selection from digital images of each artwork entered.

• An entry shall impose an obligation upon the Artist to submit the entered work for exhibition if selected.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION

Entry requires:

• Completed Online Entry Form (and agreement to these Terms and Conditions of Entry)

• Artists under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign the entry form on their behalf.

• A high resolution image of the artwork to be entered in JPEG format (maximum file size 5MB). File to follow the naming convention: lastname_firstname_title

• A 150 word maximum paragraph of information relating to the subject, including their full name, date of birth, where they currently reside and a few sentences capturing your subject's story.

• Please note: Electronic submission is the only acceptable form of entry for the The Seasons of Change Art Award.

ACCEPTANCE AND EXHIBITION

• The cost of freight and insurance for works selected for exhibition will be the responsibility of the Artist. Meridian Regional Arts will not be responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever, however caused, to any work whilst in Meridian Regional Arts custody.

• Each Artist is and shall be responsible for maintaining insurance cover.

• Artists whose works are selected for exhibition must allow their work to be reproduced for promotional, review and educational purposes and/or the future promotion of Meridian Regional Arts, and entry is and shall be deemed authorisation by the Artist to Meridian. Artworks may be reproduced for sale at Meridian Regional Arts discretion.

• Artists (and their associates or agents) who are selected as finalists must agree to not display any images of the selected work/s on Social Media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.) prior to the Saturday April 13, 2024.

• All selected works of art must be suitably framed. A stretched canvas is considered framed. Flat D-rings must be placed at the back of the work 10cm down from the top of the frame. Any other hooks or wire shall be removed, as they may damage other Artists’ works. Wet paintings will not be accepted. Deviations from these requirements must be approved by Meridian Regional Arts.

• Works selected for exhibition will be chosen by Meridian Regional Arts and/or their representatives.

• Works to be exhibited will be selected from the digital images submitted.

• A panel of judges will choose the prize-winning work from those works selected for exhibition. The judges’ decision will be final and correspondence will not be entered into.

• Exhibition Judges will be eminently qualified to judge works of art, and will not be members of Meridian Regional Arts.

• The list of selected Artists will be published on the website meridianregionalarts.org by Saturda 13th April 2024. Selected Artists will also be notified by email.

• Works selected for the Seasons of Change exhibition must be delivered by the Artist to Meridian Regional Arts office, to be received by 5:00pm (AWST), Monday 1st April 2024.

• Arrangement for delivery can be emailed to hello@meridianregionalarts.org or by telephoning Julie Flockart 0428 416 666.

• Meridian Regional Arts will not exhibit any work forwarded for exhibition which is not the submitted entry.

RECEIPT AND DESPATCH

• If consigning artwork via post or carrier, prepaid return freight vouchers must be included with the artwork at the time of receipt. No payment whatsoever will be made by Meridian Regional Arts for freight or other charges incurred in the delivery or return of entries.

• All entries must be collected by 5pm, Sunday 5 May 2024.

• Any artworks to be returned via mail will be sent by 9 May 2024.

INSURANCE

• Meridian Regional Arts will exercise all reasonable care in handling works submitted but will not be responsible for loss or damage to any work whilst in their custody. Artists are recommended to insure their work against loss or damage. Artists are responsible for their own transit insurance.

• It is at the Artists discretion whether the work should be insured.

RETURN OF WORKS

• After the close of the exhibition all works can be collected from Merredin Railway Museum, Refreshment Room on the last exhibition day, Sunday 5 May 2024 after 3.00pm; unless arrangements have been made for return by pre-paid freight vouchers.

• Late collection is at the discretion of Meridian Regional Arts.

• Works will be returned in the original packing and it is the responsibility of the Artist to ensure the packing material is sufficient for the return transportation of the work.

• Where arrangements have not been made for collection or return freight by the due date, Meridian Regional Arts reserves the right to sell or otherwise dispose of the work on the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the last exhibition day.