SONOMA SALUTE TO THE ARTS VISUAL ART COMPETITION, EXHIBIT, & SILENT AUCTION, 2002

VISUAL ART COMPETITION CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance, non-profit sponsor of Sonoma's 17th Annual Salute to the Arts, invites artists to participate in the eighth annual visual art competition, exhibit, and silent auction.

The competition's primary purposes are to enhance the event's focus on the arts; to support and promote individual artists; to heighten awareness of the arts in Sonoma Valley; to include visual arts in the Salute Celebration, the event's opening night gala; and to increase the fundraising capacity of Salute to the Arts for participating non-profit organizations.

The eighth annual art competition is open to artists outside of Sonoma Valley, as well as to local artists. It provides entry into the event which may be otherwise inaccessible to many artists. (Salute to the Arts gallery andstudio exhibits are juried by the Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance Visual Arts Committee;limited space in Sonoma Plaza prohibits expansion of the exhibit.)

Artists are encouraged to enter an original work of art in one or both categories: Flat work and three dimensional work. The theme is open and does not need to be wine country related. Artist's are encouraged to enter what they consider their finest work.

Download Contest Guidelines here

EXHIBITION AT SALUTE IN THE SONOMA PLAZA

Sonoma's annual Salute to the Arts was created to showcase Sonoma's culinary, winemaking, visual, performing, and literary arts. It is the festival's purpose to promote the professional original art available in the community, encouraging art as a viable business and profession; and to assist non-profit arts organizations with promotion and fundraising.

Unlike "arts and crafts fairs," Salute to the Arts does not rent "booth" space to artists. Exhibits are individually structured by agreement between the exhibitor and the coordinator.

Exhibits must feature primarily original works. The Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance, the festival's non-profit sponsor, accepts and juries applications from Sonoma galleries; non-profit visual arts organizations; Sonoma Valley art studios; and Sonoma Valley based visual arts marketing groups that represent artists whose artwork constitutes their primary source of income.

As a result, Salute to the Arts' visual art exhibits have garnered a reputation for excellence. That reputation translates to art activity and art sales in Sonoma throughout the year.

Download Art Objective & Guidelines here