Historic Art Contest On Display In Northeast Ohio

NOVELTY, OH — One of the oldest art exhibitions in Northeast Ohio is again gearing up for display. The 41st Annual Fairmount Art Exhibition will be held May 28 through June 8 at the Fairmount Center for the Arts (FCA), 8400 Fairmount Rd., Novelty. An opening celebration will be held May 27.

The final day for submission of pieces was Tuesday. Judging is held Wednesday. The gallery opens to the public on Sunday. The exhibition is free to all.

"This is a longstanding tradition," said FCA Director Brigitte Fiorille. "The fact that it’s continuing is something we hold dearly. The exhibition is always the same time of year. It’s a very consistent thing."

Submissions were accepted in six categories: painting, watercolor, photography, graphics, three-dimensional, and fiber. The FCA says painting includes oil and acrylic works, with watercolor receiving its own category; photography includes traditional, computer-enhanced photos, and digital prints; graphics includes all media drawings, pastels, original hand-pulled prints, collage, and digital imaging; the three dimensional category includes sculpture, wood, glass, pottery, and jewelry; and fiber includes quilting, weaving, and soft sculpture.

Artists had the option to submit three original works in any category. Submission cost $15 per entry. Nearly 350 pieces were submitted for the 2017 exhibition, FCA said. Many of the selected artists will be from Northeast Ohio, making the exhibition part of regional arts celebration.

As part of the show, 13 monetary awards are handed out. Each category has a first and second place winner and one best of show award is given to the best piece in any category. There will also be awards given for honorable mentions and the jurors' choice.

Fiorille told Patch the best in show winner will receive a $500 cash prize. First place designations receive $200 and second place winners get $100. All of the artists can also list their pieces for sale, with FCA getting a 30 percent commission on all transactions.

During the opening celebration on Saturday, the artists, patrons, families, and friends will gather to view the displayed artwork and enjoy light refreshments. An awards presentation will be held at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

"With such a long history, arts communities and artists rally around these long-standing things," Fiorille said. "Everybody shows up. The arts energy increases whenever all of those artists and amazing works of art are together. It transforms our center from this active, classes facility to a fine arts gallery. It becomes such an amazing example of our community."

The pieces will displayed throughout the first and second floors of the FCA building.

The Fairmount Art Exhibition will be held from May 28 through June 8, 2017. Hours are Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. All events related to this exhibition are free and open to the public.

"This is a fairly quick show, but it has a high-caliber of artists," Fiorille said. "It's a notable show."

During non-exhibition times, the FCA will feature individual artists in the gallery. If artists are interested in having their work displayed at the building, they can contact the FCA

Photo from FCA