Artwork can be in any medium, from painting and sketching to digitally altered photography, computer graphics, pottery and sculpture, textiles, and mixed media. The subject must involve cavers, cave life, karst and caves, focusing on the central interest of speleology.
SpeleoArt began as an SIG (special interest group) as a part of the BCRA in the UK, in response to a number of artists worldwide who wanted recognition for caves in art. SpeleoArt Exhibitions were presented in Switzerland for the UIS in 1995, then Australia, Germany, and France before an invitation from the NSS, to set up a fine arts exhibiting venue for artists in the USA in 1998.
ENTRIES: All entry forms must be submitted before Convention. The number of entries is limited to 4 per person for competition; an optional additional 4 can be entered for show only, they must all be on a cave subject. Artwork can be displayed but not judged if the artist so wishes, but must be stated on the entry form.
Email entry forms to carolina@cisstn.com. Artwork to be shipped will go to a secure address given on acceptance only a week before Convention, or to arrive in the Salon in person, by 5pm Saturday of Convention week. All artwork must be labeled with TITLE and NAME OF ARTIST. All exhibits are encouraged to be sold at the Salon or entered for the NSS Auction. The NSS will deduct a 20% commission from all art sold. Previously awarded work is encouraged to be exhibited but will not be judged in the Salon. Applications will be screened and artists will be notified by mail or E-mail. Additional information and the Convention address to send artwork will be supplied at time of notification.
ART CATEGORIES: Art will be judged in 6 categories:
Paint/Pastel (All work in paint or pastel medium)
Digital Multimedia (All work in digitized photographic and reproduction programs)
Sketch (All work produced in pencil and ink mediums)
3D (All work sculpture, installation and performance art, craft and product design.)
Mixed Media (All work produced by a mixture of mediums INCLUDING 3D WORK)
Textile (All work in the textile medium) INCLUDING QUILTS
SUB-CATEGORIES for CARTOONS, WRITTEN WORD, and HISTORICAL
ARTIST CATEGORY (PLEASE INDICATE ON FORM)
- Amateur- This is for artists new to the art form they are using and new to showing their art to the public. Judging will take into consideration the learning process and provide excellent critique awarding according to beginner level.
- Advanced- For artists who have experience showing their work, have more practice and/or training/qualification in their art form. Includes previously awarded artists.
- Expert- Artists who have previous Best of Show Awards, professionally trained, vendors and/or published works.
SUB-CATEGORY for JUNIOR- Please indicate AGE. Artists under 16. JFAS (pronounced "jay-fass") The youngsters will be critiqued by our professional judges and have their own caver vote box!
Up to 4 winners will be selected in each category for MERIT or HONORABLE MENTION, and a BEST of SHOW overall. Judging will occur at the Convention. Judging for the Cavers Choice SpeleoArt Award will be by caver ballot.
ENTRY FORM can be found HERE They may be copied, filled out and printed. They can be emailed as attachment, OR you can bring them with you to Convention to hand in with your artwork. Just ensure you have notified the Chair of FAS of your entry.
ENTRY FEE - Entry Fees are per person: $15 CLICK HERE
$5 for youth (15 and under).
Payments are to be made through PayPal or credit Card through form below. Or pay by check or cash. Checks to be made out to "NSS-FAS". Send checks to Fine Arts Salon chair or pay at the convention.
Fine Arts Judging Criteria for additional information.
RIGHTS AND CONDITIONS:
All entrants retain copyright and all moral and intellectual rights to their work. Credit will be included with all objects displayed. The NSS requests the following rights, which are optional. Indicate your agreement by marking the box(es) on the entry form.
The NSS may project these images during the award ceremony.
The NSS may publish images of winning objects in periodicals for the purpose of showcasing contest winners, within one year of the contest.
The NSS may use low-resolution images of these works on Web sites to announce the winners of this competition, for not more than one year.
The NSS may use images of these works in low resolution in a CD/DVD of all entries for an indefinite period. This CD/DVD will be lent to NSS members for viewing at no charge.
JUDGING - Pre-selection for exhibition will occur prior to Convention. Judging will occur Monday 9am with 2 professional artists and one caver of high standing within the NSS. SpeleoArt "Caver's Choice" Award will be by ballot which starts at the opening reception on Monday afternoon until Thursday 12noon.
Awards will be announced at Thursday's Salon Night
FURTHER INFORMATION - Questions may be referred to
CHAIR Fine Arts Salon:
Carolina Shrewsbury
carolina@cisstn.com