Policies for Student Art in the Library Spring 2018 Exhibition
Eligibility Information
All currently enrolled students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible to submit up to (3) original works of art for consideration.
Two-Dimensional Works
- We accept the following:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
- Collages
- Computer generated art
- Photographs
- Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints,
- Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Art must be delivered "ready to hang" (for details, see our guide on preparing your work for exhibition)
Three-Dimensional Works
- We accept the following:
- Sculpture (as long as it can be hung or fits on our display surfaces)
- Glass, Pottery, etc. (as long as it can be hung or fits on our display surfaces)
- Works may not exceed 38" tall x 18" wide x 18" deep
Digital Works
- Digital art may be two-dimensional, three-dimensional or multimedia.
- Images
- High-resolution JPG or TIF files (at least 300 dpi) are preferred, though other file formats may be accepted. If you have questions/concerns about creating a digital image of your work, please contact Roger Weaver, Art in the Library Committee Chair, at weaverjr@mst.edu or (573) 341-4221.
- Well-composed digital images of sufficient quality that are accepted for exhibition are deposited in Scholars' Mine, the digital repository for scholarly works created by our faculty, students and staff.
- Media
- MP4 file format is preferred; however we will accept MOV and AVI file formats.
- Video files should not exceed 3 minutes in length.
- Due to the exhibit location, we are not able to play audio. (You may submit video files with audio, but please keep in mind that viewers will hear no sound if your film is exhibited).
If your work is accepted for exhibition, you will be required to sign an Art Loan Agreement (detailing the terms of the exhibition period and retrieval, as well as liability) and a Copyright Release (permitting the Library to display your work and include the image of your work on our website and in Scholars' Mine).
Application Process Information
Applicants must complete the Scholar's Mine online submission form for each artwork before the specified deadline. The form will provide instruction on how to provide images or clips of your work. All currently enrolled students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible to submit up to 3 original works for consideration.
- Images
- High-resolution JPG or TIF files (at least 300 dpi) are preferred, though other file formats may be accepted. If you have questions/concerns about creating a digital image of your work, please contact Roger Weaver, Art in the Library Committee Chair, at weaverjr@mst.edu or (573) 341-4221.
- Well composed digital images of sufficient quality that are accepted for exhibition are deposited in Scholars' Mine, the digital repository for scholarly works created by our faculty, students and staff.
- Media
- MP4 file format is preferred, however we will accept MOV and AVI file formats.
- Video files should not exceed 3 minutes in length.
- Due to the exhibit location, we are not able to play audio. (You may submit video files with audio, but please keep in mind that viewers will hear no sound if your film is exhibited).
Artists with accepted works are required to agree to an Art Loan Agreement (detailing the terms of the exhibition period and retrieval, as well as liability) and a Non-exclusive Copyright Licensing Agreement (permitting the Library to display your work and include the image of your work on our website and in Scholars' Mine).
Submission Review Information
All submissions are evaluated by the Art in the Library Committee Chair and Secretary prior to acceptance into the exhibition. All decisions are final and there are no appeals. The committee does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin or ancestry, color, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or marital/parental status.
Submissions are accepted based on artistic merit; the committee’s goal is to select a broad representation of styles, content and media. Submissions may be rejected based on the following:
- Excessive weight or dimensions of the artwork (or other space constrictions)
- Inappropriate for viewing by the general public, including children
- Graphic depictions of violence or sex
- Advertising of products or services
- Violations of copyright, trademark or other intellectual property issues
All applicants will be notified of the results via email.
Delivery/Retrieval Information
Artists with accepted submissions for physical display are responsible for delivering their work to the library and retrieving their work from the Library at the end of the exhibition. The Art Loan and Exhibition Agreement and other posted information will specify deadlines for delivery and pickup. Works delivered after the specified date may be rejected. Digital works may be emailed to the committee chair by the specified date. If an artist fails to pickup their work from the library in a timely manner, the work(s) will be stored for a period of 6 months at the artist's expense. Unclaimed art after the six month period will be deemed an unrestricted gift of the work to the University.
Works should be delivered to the library ready to hang or display. If you need help, please see our guide on preparing your work for exhibition.
- Work should be stretched, framed*, matted and/or mounted, including wire or brackets for hanging.
- *While framing is encouraged, it is not required.
- Charcoal and pastel drawings must be spray-fixed.
- Each work should be labeled on the back with the following information:
- Title of piece (if applicable)
- Artist’s name
- Artist’s email and/or telephone number
- Medium
Once installed, work may not be removed from the exhibition for any reason.
Installation Information
There are two exhibitions each academic year. The Fall semester is a juried exhibition. The Art in the Library Committee will set a theme for the Spring semester. The Art in the Library Committee determines exhibition locations for accepted submissions and will hang the art and provide a placard describing the work.
Security Information
The Art in the Library committee members will take utmost care to ensure the safekeeping of each artwork selected for display. Works are exhibited in highly visible, public spaces and secured to the wall and other display surfaces. Security cameras monitor all entrances and exits to the building. Artists may request that a security strip be attached to the artwork, which will activate an alarm if the piece is removed from the library.
Judging Criteria
Each piece is evaluated using four separate criteria:
- Design and composition
- Technique/skill of constriction
- Presentation
- Creativity and originality
Up to 10 points are awarded in each of these categories. The four categories are totaled fro the following results:
- 37 - 40 = Superior
- 33 - 36 = Excellent
- 29 - 32 = Good
- Below 29 = No ranking
Judges are encourage to review their totals to determine if the score agrees with their opinion of the piece. They may alter the points
accordingly to match their overall evaluation of the work.
The following is a detailed discussion of each criteria.
Observe the totality of the piece. Does it look complete? Consider if the following elements and principles are evident in the work. Note: Not all of the principles or elements will apply to every medium.
Design and composition
Principles
Unity: Do the parts work as a whole? Consider the marks, shapes, colors, values, and textures.
Balance: Is there an equal distribution of visual weight? Has symmetrical or asymmetrical balance been created in the shapes, colors, textures, and values?
Rhythm/Movement: Has the student created fluidity of form in three-dimensional works? Has the student used shapes or directional lines to connect pieces within two-dimensional works? Does your eye travel around the entire picture plane?
Emphasis: Is there a defined focal point or center of interest?Contrast: Has the student included a variety of values, shapes, colors, lines, and textures?
Elements
Line: Is there variety of line? Have lines been used to create texture, perspective, or movement?
Shape: Is there variety of shape? Have geometric shapes, free-form shapes, positive shapes, or negative shapes been successfully created and used in the work?
Space: Has the illusion of foreground, middle ground, and background space been successfully created through the use of overlapping shapes, altering sizes, varying color intensity, altering objects placement on the page, including perspective lines or changing the clarity of details?
Form: Has the illusion of depth been successfully created in two-dimensional works through the use of geometric forms and value? Have appropriate figures been used to represent the ideas within three-dimensional works?
Color: Is there variety of color? Have colors been used to create space or emotion? Have any color wheel relationships been included to support the idea within the work?
Value: Is there a defined light source? Have highlights, shadows, and cast shadows been included in the picture? Is a 10-point value scale present?
Texture: Are there visual or tactile surface characteristics in the work? Does it have variety of texture
and interesting patterns?
Technique/skill of constriction
Has the artist demonstrated a high level of skill/ability in the use of the selected techniques chosen to construct the piece? For example, does a piece of sculpture display an effective use by the artist of tools, coordination, methods, and working materials? Does the artist use the right brush or the right paper in the piece, and has the artist used all his or her materials and skill to make an effective piece for what he or she is trying to convey?
Presentation
Is the finished piece presented in a neat and pleasing manner? Is the artwork framed, matted, or attached to an appropriate base? Is the artwork free of smudges and extraneous marks? Are the chosen materials of sufficient quality and appropriate to the nature of the work? What is the initial impression and visual impact of the piece? Does it convey what the artist intended and encourage a response from the viewer (a response implying that it is funny, endearing, provocative, well-done, etc.)?
Awards Information
To be eligible for an award a work must receive a minimum of 33 points. The only exception to this is the People's Choice Award which is based on a popular vote. The following awards are granted by the judges:
Best of Show ($200 cash or gift card) - The work receiving the highest overall score. Judges or the committee chair must resolve a tie. Only one work is eligible for the award.
Notable Work ($100 cash or gift card) - The work receiving the second highest overall score. Judges or the committee chair must resolve a tie. Only one work is eligible for the award.
The "People's Choice Award" ($50 cash or gift card) is determined by popular vote. Votes are registered online through a LibWizard survey. This survey also collects comments and suggestions. The "People's Choice Award" should be announced and awarded 2 weeks before the end of the exhibition.
Honorable Mention ($20 gift bag) - Works receiving the highest overall score in their respective category. Only works receiving a minimum of 33 points qualify. Judges or the committee chair must resolve a tie within a given category. Multiple awards can be given, but only one award per category.
All awardees receive a certificate in addition to their prize. Certificate templates are available.