A little competition can be a good thing.
Last year, Music in the Mountains held its first art contest. Several local artists were approached to paint a small masterpiece using violins as the canvas, and local artist Elizabeth Kinahan was the winner.
“When I originally was asked to donate a piece of artwork, I was unaware of the extent to which they provide our community with necessary programs,” Kinahan said. “... Anything beyond a donation never crossed my mind, and so it was unbelievable when I learned that I was selected as the poster artist for the year, a goal that I’ve had since moving to Durango eight years ago. It was a giant step in my artistic career here in Durango, and I feel it gave people a chance to connect me with my paintings. Since that time, people regularly ask me, ‘Hey, aren’t you the one who did the violin that’s on all the posters?’”
Kinahan is the latest in a long line of artists who have provided the artwork for the annual classical music festival. The list includes Stanton Englehart, Albert Dreher, Carolyn Fisher and many others, but for about 20 of Music in the Mountains’ seasons, the artist has been personally invited to participate. Now, it’s an open competition.
This year there are no restrictions on what type of canvas or medium the artist can choose, and it is open to the public. The winning entry gets a $1,000 cash award in addition to the exposure from the festival’s marketing materials.
“We really appreciated the wonderful collaboration that resulted from last year’s contest, and it was an important fundraiser for our organization, as well, said Music in the Mountains executive director Angie Beach. “We want to continue to look for new and creative ways to introduce and engage new audiences to Music in the Mountains, and this seems like a great way of doing that.”
ted@durangoherald.com
Contest rules
Entry forms with instructions are available at www.musicinthemountains.com. The deadline for art submissions is Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. Original art and entry form should be submitted together. Entries may be mailed or submitted in person during business hours to:
Music in the Mountains
1063 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Attn: Angie Beach
Winner will be determined by a panel and will be notified by phone or email no later than Jan. 24.
The winner of the contest will receive six tickets to their choice of concert(s) and $1,000 in cash. Additionally, the winner will receive acknowledgement in the season program and on the festival website. The top 10 entries and artists will be acknowledged in the festival program and at the spring fundraiser and receive two tickets to the concert of their choice. All art submitted will be displayed during the 28th annual festival at one of the concerts.
