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Introducing the EYC Lights Parade Poster Competition
Be a part of this beloved Annapolis holiday tradition! Every year, on the second Saturday of December, magic happens as boats suddenly appear out of the cold winter night illuminated with thousands of colored lights and crewed by jolly revelers in a Lights Parade around Annapolis harbor. Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) and Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) invite all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the United States to enter our fourth annual poster competiton. All original 2D work in any medium following MFA guidelines that depicts an Annapolis landmark or the Annapolis skyline with a festively decorated boat or boats, and includes the EYC burgee will be considered. The piece chosen by EYC as the representational image for the 2024 Lights Parade will be reproduced on posters, t-shirts, and other promotional material. All works submitted will be on exhibition in MFA’s Online Gallery from November 15 – December 31, 2024. A People’s Choice Award will be given out on December 20, 2024.
Terms of Entry
- Entry is open to all artists residing in any of the states or territories of the US.
- Entering this exhibition indicates understanding and agreement on the part of the artist with the conditions stated herein and with (a) MFA’s approved Statement of Equity and Diversity and (b) MFA’s General Guidelines. Work must meet exhibition guidelines to be included in this event. MFA may determine work ineligible if entry guidelines are not followed.
- In order to be eligible for consideration, work must depict an Annapolis landmark or the Annapolis skyline with a festively decorated boat or boats, and include the EYC burgee, which may be downloaded on the entry page. Please reference eastportyc.org/lights-parade/artists for prior years’ winning submissions.
- By submitting a piece of art for consideration, the artist agrees that if the piece is chosen as the winning piece, the artist will be deemed to have granted an irrevocable license to EYC to use the piece and copies of the piece on various media in connection with promoting the Lights Parade in 2024 and in future years. The artist of the chosen piece will be deemed to have gifted the piece to EYC. EYC is a 501(c)(7) organization. Artists should consult with their tax advisor with respect to this gift.
- EYC will contribute up to $125 towards the framing of the winning piece chosen by the EYC committee to be the representational image of the 2024 Lights Parade. The chosen artist shall work directly with EYC with respect to the delivery of the original piece of work.
- Images of submitted works may be used at the sole discretion of MFA for promotional purposes including, but not limited to: the invitation, catalog, website, social media, or a subsequent year’s prospectus. Images will include attribution wherever possible. Work cannot be withdrawn before the end of the event.
- Work cannot be withdrawn before the end of the event.
Liability
- MFA shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or inability to use, MFA’s online exhibition gallery.
- Artwork will be handled with all possible care. MFA will not be responsible or liable for loss or damage from any cause whatsoever. Insurance, if desired, must be carried by the artist.
Awards
- The EYC Lights Parade Poster Competition winner will be selected by a committee from Eastport Yacht Club. Eastport Yacht Club will award $500 to the chosen artist.
- The artist with the highest number of votes in the People’s Choice Gallery will receive a $70 one-year MFA Membership.
Entry Requirements
- All work must be entered by uploading JPEG images through MFA’s online entry system. Set pixel dimension between 1,500 and 3,000 pixels on the longest side. File size may be no more than 5 MB. Images must correspond with actual work.
- MFA does not display watermarks; artists display at their own risk.
- To enter online, you will need an MFA account that includes an email address and a password. There is no charge to create an MFA account.
Entry Fee
- 1 or 2 entries $10. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Work
- All entries must be original and completed solely by the artist’s hand. A maximum of 2 original works created within the past 3 years may be entered. If artwork is part of a limited edition, please state total number in the edition.
- Work previously exhibited in MFA’s People’s Choice Voting Gallery is not eligible for re-entry.
- Minimum size of work based off of edges of the artwork should not be less than 24” in one direction by 30” in the other direction. Maximum size of work, including edges of artwork and frame, cannot exceed 36” in any direction.
Sales
- MFA’s Online Sales Gallery is provided to North American artists to sell their work. Only artists in the 48 contiguous United States may set a price. MFA will reimburse up to $40 in shipping costs to those artists for online sales shipments if a receipt is provided. All other artists must enter Price on Request (POR) and purchase inquiries will be referred by MFA to the artist.
- Artists will retain 80% from sales (85% for MFA Members). MFA will retain 20% commission (15% for MFA Members) on any work sold through MFA. Artists will be responsible for fulfillment of sales.
- Work must be for sale. Work may be set to Price on Request (POR).
Exhibition Schedule
- Jul 19 Online Entry Opens for Submissions
- Sept 18 Entry Deadline
- Nov 14 EYC Lights Parade Poster Competition Winner Announced
- Nov 15 Exhibition Opens Online; People’s Choice Voting Opens
- Dec 18 People’s Choice Voting Closes at Midnight
- Dec 19 People’s Choice Award Announced at 5 PM
- Dec 31 Last Day of Online Exhibition
Notification
Artists who have unsubscribed from MFA’s emails will not receive information about this exhibition.
Emails to artists will include specific details and may vary from the prospectus.
Please set your email account to recognize notification@mdfedart.org and info@mdfedart.org.
Magical Night, acrylic on canvas, Barbara Brower Winner of the 2023 EYC Lights Parade Poster Competition
Good Tidings of Great Joy, acrylic, polymer and gold leaf on canvas, Marnie Litz, Winner of the EYC Lights Parade Poster Competition People’s Choice Award 2023