Embracing Our Differences invites you to participate in creating a society where diversity is embraced and individuality is celebrated.
The 2023 exhibit will be on display mid-January through late May, 2023 in three locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida. Since 2004, the exhibit has hosted over 4 million visitors, in addition to 448,460 students via our education programs, for a very unique opportunity to experience the importance of diversity and inclusion in our lives.
Become a part of this change by submitting your original art to Embracing Our Differences and its annual international outdoor juried art exhibit featuring 50 billboard-size images measuring 16
feet (5m) wide by 12.5 feet (4m) high.
feet (5m) wide by 12.5 feet (4m) high.
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Artists, photographers, professionals, amateurs, students — everyone
can participate, national and international submissions are encouraged.
- There is no submission or entry fee and there is no limit on the number of submissions.
THE THEME
Artists are asked to submit their interpretation of the theme "enriching lives through diversity and inclusion".
DEADLINE
October 5, 2022
THE CRITERIA
• Your art must be HORIZONTAL in orientation which means that it must be wider than it is tall - submissions that do not meet this requirement will be disqualified. Artwork Templates
• Your digital file must be a high resolution image of no less than 300 dpi (JPG, JPEG, TIFF, PDF or EPS).
• Your digital art must measure no less than 12.8” (325.12 mm) wide by 8.8” (223.52 mm) high, or if larger, it must contain the same proportions.
• Include a brief (200 word maximum) “Artist Statement” explaining your art, your creative process and/or what the theme means to you.
• Please label your digital art file with the “title” and your name - for example, "ArtworkTitle-ArtistName;"
• Your digital file must be less than 400MB in size.
• Your digital file must be less than 400MB in size.
• If making more than one submission online, you will need to create a separate entry for each one.
• Teachers submitting student artwork should click here for a simplified submission process.
CASH AWARDS
• A total of $6,000 (US) will be presented in the form of three separate awards - $2,000 each for "Best-in-Show Adult", "Best-in-Show Student", and "People’s Choice".
• The "People’s Choice" award will be determined by visitors to the exhibit.
SUBMIT ARTWORK ONLINE
Submit Online, Submit Online (Teachers)
SUBMIT ARTWORK BY MAIL
Submit by Mail, Submit by Mail (Teachers)
- Final selections will be chosen based on artistic excellence and originality in the reflection of our theme, "enriching lives through diversity and inclusion". This may include, by way of suggestion only, any one or more of the following: appearance; racial differences; physical or mental impairment; language, religious or cultural differences; socioeconomic status; sexual orientation or identity; gender identity, positive attitude; inclusiveness; acceptance; taunting, bullying and confrontation; human rights and equality; understanding and kindness; empowerment; Holocaust awareness or any other topic which you believe furthers our theme of “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.” Do not feel limited by these suggestions. We strongly encourage new and fresh interpretations of our theme. To download the full Art Selection Criteria, please click here.
- All submissions must be an original concept and execution and not a copy or reproduction of the work of another. Final selections for inclusion in the exhibit will be made by a five-judge panel of professional artists, curators and art professionals based on artistic excellence and originality in reflection of our theme “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion", Judges will also consider:
• How will the art read when enlarged to billboard size (16ft [4.9m] wide by 12.5ft [3.8m] high) and displayed outdoors?
• Is the theme clear and easily understood?
• Does the art explore the theme in an unusual or previously unexplored manner?
• Will the art and its message prompt a discussion?
To download the full Art Selection Criteria, please click here.
- Judging will take place in late November and ONLY those selected for inclusion in the exhibit will be notified by email in December.
- Due to the volume of submissions, only artists with entries selected for display will be notified individually.
- All winning entries will be posted on our website by early January.