OnTheCusp.org

Masterpiece in a Day, 2008

Masterpiece in a Day
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27
Where: 1043 Virginia Ave. Suite 4
Info: (317) 450-6630; www.bigcar.org
Cost: Free for participants and visitors

Masterpiece in a Day returns to Fountain Square on Sept. 27
The long-running free art and writing contest Masterpiece in a Day, supported by Southeast Neighborhood Development and operated by Big Car, returns to Fountain Square on Sept. 27. This year, the contest is again part of a big day in the neighborhood that includes the Fountain Square Art Fair presented by the Fountain Square Merchants Association. The art and writing contests begin at 9 a.m. with day-of registration ending at 11 a.m. Completed artwork and typed copies of writing are due for judging at 3:30 p.m. Winners from both contests will be announced at about 4:30 p.m. All work must be completed in the Fountain Square neighborhood during contest hours.

This year's art contest features new categories designed to encourage participation by artists working in a variety of styles and mediums. Artists will be able to choose from: Traditional/landscape (2D work in traditional styles) Street art (graffiti style, outsider art, etc.) Off the wall (sculpture, video, installation, all three-dimensional work) On the wall (contemporary two-dimensional work). The overall Best in Show winner of the art contest takes home $1,000. The four category winners pick up $600 each. The overall winner can't also be a category winner.

This year's art judges include Butler University art professors Guatam Rao and Elizabeth Mix and Paul LePree, owner of the Ultra-Pop, a street-art shop in Louisville. The writing contest presented by The Second Story and Indy Reads features poetry and prose competitions with winners picking up $600 in each category and second-place writers taking $250 and third place taking $100. This year's judges include poet, IUPUI professor and Second Story board member Mitchell Douglas and Travis DiNicola, writer and executive director of Indy Reads. The Masterpiece in a Day music competition will not be happening this year, but musicians are encouraged to perform throughout the neighborhood.

The event also features fun for the whole family with activities for children throughout the day. The Fountain Square Arts Council will offer quilting, visual arts, storytelling, and music. Families can also take part in the group's ongoing art projects throughout the day at Wheeler Arts Community Classroom. There, children will have opportunities to share their thoughts through a talking wall, and also be able to contribute to a mural. Other activities for the family include: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. quilting, outside of the Murphy Art Center. Noon to 2 p.m. storytelling, Fountain Square Library 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. musical time, kids can build and play their own instruments, outside of Murphy art Center. Masterpiece in a Day's sponsors and supporters also include the Fountain Square Merchants Association, Farm Bureau, White Castle and the Fountain Square Arts Council. Big Car is a 501c3 non-profit arts collective with an exhibition space and performance venue in the Fountain Square neighborhood. We offer cultural experiences that are interdisciplinary, experimental, and independently produced. Through our group's collaborative work and the exhibitions and events at the gallery, Big Car boosts Indianapolis' cultural and social landscapes by offering exposure to emerging artists, by connecting with other arts and community groups, and by helping audiences find easier access to art. For more details, including bios of our judges, go here.Above: Last year's winning video piece by Brian Priest.

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