McKinney, Texas -- Unique by Nature is hosted by the McKinney Performing Arts Center, City of McKinney. Sponsors include citizen leaders dedicated to the growth of the arts in McKinney.
The competition has two categories: Large Works Purchase Prize Competition, and Non-Purchase Prize Competition and Juried Exhibition. This year the Large Works Purchase Prize submissions will be juried, and finalists judged, by Brian Molanphy, Professor of Art at the Meadows School of the Arts, SMU (Dallas, Texas).
Mr. Molphany's work has been on display in national venues such as the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and the Nasher Sculpture Center (Dallas), as well as in international venues. Mr. Molanphy will also jury and judge the Non-Purchase Prize Competition and Juried Exhibition.
Unique by Nature Juried Art Competition and Exhibition ¨C Deadlines and Dates
Category A: Large Works Purchase Prize Competition
Category B: Non-Purchase Prize Competition and Juried Exhibition
Deadlines for Category A: Large Works Purchase Prize Competition
- Friday, March 14- Online entry submission deadline at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 19 - Notification of Finalists for Purchase Prize Competition
- Wednesday, March 26 - Deadline to deliver Finalists for Purchase Prize Competition
Deadline for Category B: Non-Purchase Prize Competition and Juried Exhibition
Saturday, March 29- In-Person entry submission 9:30am-4pm, MPAC Lower Gallery
Unique by Nature Art Competition Awards Reception and Exhibition:
Saturday, April 5, 6pm-8pm
- Exhibition on display April 5 - April 26
- Sunday, April 27 (1-5pm)- Artists retrieve work
The Large Works Purchase Prize of $6,000 will be awarded to the work of art chosen by Brian Molanphy to become part of the permanent public art collection of the McKinney Performing Arts Center. Submission fees become the prize pool for the Non-Purchase Prize category, with awards of $500 each given to prize-winners chosen by Brian Molanphy.
Unique by Nature is open to professional and emerging artists who are legal residents of the United States and at some point in time have been residents, or are currently residents, of Texas. Entrants must be at least 17 years of age by May 2025.
Submission Requirements (by category):
Category A: Large Works Purchase Prize Competition
Works to be considered for the Purchase Prize must be 2D and 36'± or more in at least one dimension. By Friday, March 14, 7pm, artists will submit online jpgs of up to three different works for consideration, as well as a brief bio, artist statement, and their Curriculum Vitae. Finalists will be notified by March 19, art work to be delivered by March 26. Fee: $30. (plus $1.50 processing fee). Please use the following link to apply:
https://mckinneypac.wufoo.com/forms/sg609550ih7g9r/
Category B: Non-Purchase Prize Competition and Juried Exhibition
For the Non-Purchase Prize Competition, all two- and three-dimensional media are allowed. Works will be juried in person, and evaluated on the basis of original and engaging artistic vision, effective use of media and professionalism of presentation.
Art work must be submitted in person on Saturday, March 29 (9:30am-4pm), Lower Level, McKinney Performing Arts Center, downtown McKinney. Volunteers of the Arts and Music Guild process the art submissions and fees.
Fee: $25 for up to two works of art. Payment may be made through the Arts and Music Guild website, www.artsandmusicguild.org/ubn-competition (add $1.50 processing fee) or at time of submission (cash, checks payable to Arts and Music Guild). Fees support the competition and prize pool, thus insuring the acquisition of artwork by regional artists for the permanent art collection. Artwork submission forms are available online at www.artsandmusicguild.org/ubn-competition and at drop-off on Saturday, March 29.
PLEASE access the downloadable Prospectus for further submission requirements for Category B at www.artsandmusicguild.org/ubn-competition.
