Summer Visual Art Showcase

Enter our Summer Visual Art Showcase

The event is part of our 2024 Summer Learning Challenge Read, Renew, Repeat. We look forward to this opportunity to celebrate our community’s creativity!

We can change the world! Using your library is an eco-friendly and sustainable way to access knowledge, use technology, and engage with your community by borrowing and sharing resources instead of buying them. This year’s Summer Learning Challenge theme, Read, Renew, Repeat, aims to encourage reading as a restorative method of self-improvement and increase awareness of conservation efforts. Conservation as a movement focuses on protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services, and protecting biological diversity.

We encourage you to use this year's theme as inspiration to create and submit your paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, digital art, and more! Let the theme inspire your subject, experiment with natural pigments, or upcycle some of your materials and tools.*

Webpage coming soon: https://www.newlenoxlibrary.org/artcontest

*Engagement with the theme is encouraged, but optional

Summer Visual Art Showcase

• Submissions Accepted: Starting June 3
• Artwork Must Be Received: By July 7
• Gallery Exhibition: From July 9 – July 23
• Gallery Reception: Thursday, July 25 at 6:00pm; Meeting Room AB

The Library will display your art through the month of July. Please make arrangements to pick up your art after the conclusion of the Art Gallery & Reception on Thursday, July 25. Art must be retrieved by 4 pm on Friday, August 2. Unclaimed art will not be stored at the library.

• Open to teens entering 9th Grade - 12th Grade and Adults age 18+.
• The artwork must be original. You must be the creator of the artwork that is submitted to the contest. Your art must be your own original concept and not a copy of anyone else's copyrighted material. This includes unauthorized derivative work.
• In light of the evolving understanding of AI generated art and the ambiguity regarding its copyright, any artwork that relies heavily on generative fill or is entirely AI generated is prohibited. Digital images and photographs may be altered or manipulated, but you must be the originator or have obtained the proper permissions. If your image infringes upon another's copyright it will be disqualified.
• Entry forms must be legibly completed, signed, and turned in with the artwork. Submissions by a minor must include a parent or guardian’s signature.

Entry Process

Complete this entry form and return it with your submission to the Adult & Teen Services desk on the 2nd floor of the Library.

• All submissions must be received by 4 pm on Sunday, Jul 7, 2024.
• You must be entering 9th–12th Grade or be an Adult to be eligible.
• All submissions should be dropped off at the Adult & Teen Services desk on the 2nd floor.
• A completed form must be turned in at the time of submission. Entries without accompanying forms will not be accepted.
• Only 1 submission per individual can be entered.

Art Guidelines

• Any medium will be accepted, including, but not limited to, sculpture, photography, watercolor, chalk, digital art, ink, etc.
• Wall & 2D Pieces: Finished pieces must be no larger than 12"x 16" including any frame or backing.
• 3D items must be no larger than 1 ft x 1 ft x 1 ft and able to sit on a shelf.
• The art/object must be gallery ready. Unframed artwork should be mounted onto matte board or other sturdy background within the size limitations.
• 3D objects should be able to sit level on a shelf or arrive with an appropriate stand, plinth, or display case within the size perimeters. Framed artwork should be able to sit level on a shelf.
• Artwork should be practical for a space that is open and available to the public. Please avoid submitting items that are too fragile, sharp, or small to be safe in such an environment. Understand the library does not assume responsibility for loss of or damage to your artwork or frames.
• Artwork must be “appropriate,” as it will be displayed in the library building. The library reserves the right to reject work deemed unsuitable for display in the library building.
• Artwork must not have been submitted to a previous Visual Art Showcase at the New Lenox Library.

Judging Criteria

• Craftsmanship & Technique
• Creativity & Originality Personal Voice
• Guideline Adherence
• *Engagement with the theme will not be included in the judging criteria