Colfax Arts Council will launch third banner painting competition

Colfax Arts Council will launch its third annual “H’Art of Palouse” banner painting competition for area artists. The contest provides original works of art to Colfax’s Main Street. Banners from the second contest now adorn both ends of Main.

“This is the most public art exhibit in the region,” said Debi Anderson, Arts Council president.

Paint cans containing applications will be located in Colfax at the Whitman County Gazette, Top Notch, library, Tick Klock Drug and the Chamber of Commerce office. Applications will also be available on the council website:

colfaxarts@colfax.com.

“Each year we seem to get more entries and a whole new array of subjects and styles,” said Anderson. “We hope to increase the number of entries in the youth division this year and will contact the area schools and send them applications.”

Entrants must submit their designs by Oct. 28.

Banners from the first competition are currently on display at Rosauers above the checkout counters.

The 2010 competition will be run much like the first two contests. Artists are invited to submit a 7 1/2 X 15-inch painting/design on 11X17-inch paper or other medium. The entries will be juried by a group of artists and civic leaders who will not be announced until after the selection is made. At least 10 designs will be selected to be painted on the banners. If there are a large number of entries, the council could select more.

Entries must be accompanied by an entry fee of $10 for youths 18 years and under and $20 for adults. The fee funds are used to help purchase the banners.

Winning designs will be announced Nov. 12, and a banner workshop will be Nov. 14. Artists will be required to complete the designs by Jan. 15, and the banners will be hung along Main Street Feb. 21. A public reception for the artists will be March 4.