The Mary Crutchfield
Landmark
Competition & Exhibition
Mary Crutchfield was a dedicated artist for over 30 years, recognized internationally and loved locally. Mary was a cofounder of The Studio Gallery, a group of artists who shared a workspace in Elizabeth City and traveled and painted anywhere the light was good. They founded the Pasquotank Arts Council, now Arts of the Albemarle. She also loved to teach art, including classes at College of the Albemarle.
Mary loved to paint in transparent watercolor with, in her words, “its glow and interplay of light and shadow,” and water media with texture and depth that are “visual extensions of lyrical song and dance.”
Named in her honor, the Mary Crutchfield Landmark Competition & Exhibition invites regional artists working in two-dimensional mediums to submit artworks depicting local landmarks of their choice. The exhibition will be open at Arts of the Albemarle from September 6—October 26, where five pieces will be selected for first, second, and third place awards, as well as the Mary Crutchfield Memorial Award and the People’s Choice Award.
Download the submission packet here or pick up your copy at AOA during gallery hours (Tues-Fri from 11-6 and Sat from 10-4).
All submissions should be dropped off with the appropriate paperwork by Tuesday, September 3 at 6 PM to be considered.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Who can enter/What are the requirements?
Submissions must be original works (your own creation/your own photos) depicting Albemarle Regional Landmarks. This includes Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank and Perquimans Counties completed within the past two years.
Current AOA members may submit up to two works for $35. Non-Members may submit up to two works for $40 and full-time student non-members for $50, which includes an individual ($50) membership. All fees are non-refundable. Artists 16 years of age and older are welcome.
Artists working in all 2D mediums may enter. No 3D work will be accepted.
Entered works may NOT be the product of a class or workshop.
Entered works must be ready to hang (framed with taut wire, no sawtooth hangers) when dropped off. Gallery-wrapped canvases will also be accepted if the sides are finished and the piece is wired for hanging. Pieces must not exceed 36 x 36 inches when framed.
Work must be submitted no later than Tuesday, September 3, at 6 PM. The Visual Arts Committee reserves the right to reject any work that does not meet standards; all decisions are final.
How does it work?
Call 252-777-2787 x3 for an appointment to drop off (15 minute time-slots) or if you have questions. Complete the attached registration form and affix the labels below to the back of your work before dropping off.
All works featured in the competition must be listed for sale, with a 35% commission going to AOA if sold.
Works will be judged by this year’s honorary juror, Peggy Saporito. The artwork will be judged based on composition, level of skill, and overall impression of an Albemarle Regional Landmark, which should be labeled with the identity of the Regional Landmark.
Five winning works will be selected to receive the following awards and prizes:
First Place: $250 Second Place: $200 Third Place: $150
Mary Crutchfield Memorial Award: $100 People’s Choice: $50
About the Juror:
Our juror is Peggy Saporito, who is an award-winning watercolor artist from the Outer Banks. Peggy is past-president and Gold Signature Member of the Watercolor Society of NC. Always an achiever, she recently received her Art Therapy Practitioner Certificate. Her works hang in the permanent collection of the Dare County Justice Center and the OBX Community Foundation, both in Manteo and The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head. You can view her art any time at the Dare County Arts Council where she also volunteers.
