National Gallery Announces Finalists In Art Competition
The second phase in the So You Want To Be an Artist? competition organized by the National Gallery of Canada is now complete, with work by 12 young finalists chosen throughout March by over 20,000 online voters using Facebook. In total, 126 talented artists aged 16 to 19 submitted their work, following the contest launch in January. To see the work and to learn more about the story behind each finalist’s piece visit the MakeArt Gallery.
“We were thrilled with the quality of the submissions we received and congratulate each of the finalists,” said NGC Manager, Youth and School Programs, Gary Goodacre. “With over 50,000 visits to the contest website from Canada alone, the young people who took part in this contest have been able to share their creativity and passion with audiences in Canada and around the world.”
On May 25, the jury will select the three grand prize winners, who will be announced to the public on June 3. From now until July 2 NGC visitors can enjoy the finalists’ work on the Artissimo Gallery wall, just outside the Special Exhibition galleries, in the concourse leading to the Contemporary Art galleries. The jury is made up of well-known Montreal graffiti artist Roadsworth, Ottawa Citizen arts editor at large Peter Simpson, Radio-Canada cultural reporter Jhade Montpetit and contemporary curator and NGC Elizabeth Simonfay Curatorial Resident of Indigenous Art, Candice Hopkins.
First prize includes transportation, accommodation and meals for a two-night stay in Ottawa for the winner and an accompanying adult, as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the NGC that will focus on careers in the visual arts. The winner will receive expert advice on his or her art portfolio and receive a $500 online gift certificate for art supplies. (Note: If the winner lives within a 100 km radius of downtown Ottawa, a $1,000 online gift certificate for art supplies will be awarded instead of the travel portion of the prize.)
The second prize winner will receive a $1,000 online gift certificate for art supplies, and the third prize winner will receive a $500 online gift certificate for art supplies.
