High School Art Competition

The participation and the popularity of the High School Art Exhibit, sponsored by the Illinois American Water Company since 2003, have grown to be one of the country’s largest independent student exhibits. Each year, 55 Art Instructors from over 30 Southern Illinois high schools are invited to participate. An estimated 300 students are expected to apply. The High School Exhibit is located at 19 Public Square thanks to the generosity of Region’s Bank and St. Clair County.

Beginning in 2012, Lindenwood University-Belleville teamed with Art on the Square to award a $500 scholarship to every student who has an entry in the exhibit. In addition, the University has helped to boost ten of the most coveted awards given to the students, the Artists Choice Awards. These ten awards are selected by the balloting of the Art on the Square exhibiting artists at a private reception on Saturday night. Not only will they receive a $50 cash award, but each will secure a $2,500 yearly scholarship, renewable for four years. These ten pieces will be displayed at the Awards Brunch given for the artists and exhibitors on Sunday, May 19th.

There are 40 awards totaling $4,000 that will be presented at the Awards Ceremony at 2p.m. on Sunday, May 19th under the main tent. Nineteen of these awards are sponsored by Art on the Square. Three other local awards totaling $500 are sponsored by the law firm of Becker, Paulson, Hoerner and Thompson, PC and are presented by Mark Kern and St. Clair County. These awards go to a student from St. Clair County.

Illinois American Water continues to sponsor not only the exhibit, but a special award and trophy to an entry of their judge’s choice. Additional awards are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Belleville, Gateway East Artist Guild, St. Clair County Historical Society, Delta Kappa Gamma Women Educator’s Sorority, and Dick Blick Art Materials.

Other monetary awards will be presented by the Art on the Square Committee Choice and Art on the Square Volunteers. The public is also encouraged to view the exceptional artwork and cast ballots for their favorite piece that will result in the awarding of four People’s Choice Awards. The ballots are distributed to the public on Friday and Saturday only at the display site. Last year 2,000 votes were cast.

When: 
May 17, 18, 19 2013

Where:
In the St. Clair County Atrium and the lobby of Regions Bank, #19 Public Square across from the fountain, Belleville, IL

What:
The Art on the Square High School Exhibition.  Students may enter only one work of art. 

The following are the designated viewing times for the High School Exhibit:
Friday, May17 5:00 p.m. thru 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 18 10:00 a.m. thru 7:00 p.m. (Closes early for Artist’s Reception) Sunday, May 19* 11:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m. (No art may be removed before 4 p.m.)

 

Lindenwood University Artist's Choice Scholarships

Click Here to See Photo Gallery Winning Artwork

Click Here for High School Art Instructor Letter, Rules and Application 

Click Here for Lindenwood Letter, Rules and Application