An international art competition and exhibition to encourage Latter-day Saint artists to depict scriptural themes in quality works of art was announced Jan. 16 by the Museum of Church History and Art.
"We encourage our artists worldwide to submit works based on themes from the scriptures," said Elder John K. Carmack of the First Quorum of the Seventy and executive director of the Church's Historical Department, which operates the museum, located just west of Temple Square."The scriptures contain inspired teachings, testimonies, and stories of great spiritual value to people everywhere," Elder Carmack said. "We hope this competition will challenge our finest artists to apply their talents to the creation of memorable works of art.
"Significant prizes and purchase awards made possible by an anonymous museum donor will allow us to recognize the best of recent work by Church members. With some of the award money, the museum will add to its permanent collection for use in future exhibits and Church publications."
Jurying, by a panel of six persons, will take place in two stages, said museum director Glen M. Leonard. Slides for the first round are due at the museum no later than Nov. 30, 1990. The jury will later review a smaller group of actual works selected from that first screening.
From a donated fund of $43,000, the jury will award up to $13,500 in cash prizes, including up to five "Awards of Distinction" ($1,500 each) and up to 15 "Awards of Merit" ($400 each). Up to $30,000 of "Purchase Awards" will use the balance of the award money.
Prize winners and purchase awards will be announced at an artists' reception and awards ceremony on March 29, 1991. Accepted works will be exhibited at the museum through Sept. 2, 1991.
Entry forms containing additional information on submission requirements will be available in late March from the Museum of Church History and Art, 45 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150; phone: (801) 240-2299.
Leonard said artists may submit one piece from recent work in any artistic medium. The international competition will be open to Latter-day Saint artists who create paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, textiles, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, quilts, lace, embroidery, or any other artistic medium.
"To qualify," Leonard explained, "the work of art must reflect a theme, value, story, or image inspired by something in one of the four standard works of scripture of the Church."
Scriptural themes were just one of several subjects treated in the museum's first international competition and exhibition for LDS artists in November 1987. That event, Leonard said, attracted 1,031 entries from 23 states and 13 countries on subjects of LDS history, lifestyle, and belief. The resulting exhibit of 180 paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures introduced many new artists to museum visitors.
"Though the 1991 competition is narrower in theme," Leonard said, "it allows artists who work in a wider variety of art forms to participate. We expect to get acquainted with the work of many more Latter-day Saint artists through this Church-wide competition."