2014 Art Contest

George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts Partners with Audubon Nature Institute for Statewide Art Contest

Louisiana high school students compete in annual art contest for individual college scholarships and awards totaling $45,000 

WHAT:   George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) announces a Call for Entries for its 5th Annual Art Contest.  The 2014 art contest theme is “Louisiana’s Natural Beauty” in partnership with Audubon Nature Institute.

Louisiana’s landscape is a natural wonder defined by waterways, animals and plant life. Throughout the state, oaks, cypress, magnolias and other varieties shade country roads, swampland and neighborhoods. Azaleas, irises, and water lilies add bursts of color in parks and alongside bayous, home to alligators, snakes, and hundreds of species of fish, frogs, mammals and insects.

Audubon Nature Institute celebrates all of these wonders of Louisiana's natural beauty.  Named for the great wildlife artist and naturalist, John James Audubon (1785-1851), for nearly 100 years Audubon Nature Institute has been a leader for preservation in Louisiana through its Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and most recently, the Olmsted Renewed Campaign, which works to preserve live oak trees in Audubon Park.

“I invite this year’s applicants to explore Louisiana’s Natural Beauty,” says George Rodrigue. “The artistic approach can be historical, contemporary, or imaginary in its conception, with interpretations ranging from a traditional or abstract Louisiana landscape to an exploration of indigenous plant and animal life.”

The annual GRFA scholarship art contest offers one-time college scholarships and awards totaling over $45,000 to the top ten senior and top five junior winners.  The senior winner will receive a $6,000 college scholarship. Since 2009, GRFA received 1,766 entries from across Louisiana, awarding 67 students a combined $178,500 in college scholarships.

A blind, two-part judging process focuses on three categories: interpretation of theme, creativity and design.  GRFA requires that submissions be between 11 x 14 and 18 x 24 inches.  Acceptable mediums include oil or acrylic paint, charcoal, pencil or graphite, watercolor, photography, mixed media or digital media. All Louisiana high school juniors and seniors are eligible, regardless of test scores, grade point averages or declared majors. GRFA is unable to accept framed canvases or three-dimensional work.

Each student that enters the contest will receive a complimentary admission certificate to an Audubon property.  Winners will be announced at the 5th Annual Art Contest Awards Luncheon presented by Chevron on March 8, 2014, at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans.

WHEN:   Taking applications now at www.rodriguefoundation.org/artcontest. Deadline is February 12, 2014
               
WHO:   All Louisiana juniors and seniors attending public and private high schools, home schooled students and GED students.

WHY:   The winning artist will have the opportunity to collaborate with internationally-renowned artist George Rodrigue to design a special poster to be sold at all Audubon Nature Institute properties. Sales from these posters will benefit the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and Audubon.

George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization advocating the importance of the arts in the development of our youth through a variety of art educational programs. www.georgerodriguefoundation.org

Audubon Nature Institute is a 501(c)3 not for profit that operates a family of museums and parks dedicated to nature. These New Orleans facilities include: Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Entergy IMAX® Theatre, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Audubon Wilderness Park, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium and Audubon Nature Institute Foundation.  www.AudubonInstitute.org