The 25th Annual May Festival of the Arts in Eureka Springs, AR officially launches with the selection of this year’s art poster winner.

Jeremy Mason McGraw is the winner of the 2012 May Festival of the Arts poster design contest. The judging team of Chad and Alex of Rightmind Advertising, described Jeremy’s design as, “An exciting and appealing piece, a real non-descript urban feel with lots of movement and popping color.”

Jeremy titled the piece, “Energy in the Streets.” The final image that took over three days of shooting in the streets of Eureka Springs, was created 100% from exposures captured “in camera” then overlaid to create the finished product. Jeremy explained, “All of the elements were created in the physical world with long exposures, gelled LED lights and stencils with a process called light painting.”

Jeremy will receive $250 in prize money and his design will be used for the official May Festival poster and in other promotional materials and festival ads.

Jeremy moved to Eureka Springs two-and-one-half-years-ago and quickly became entrenched in the arts community. As the Elite International Photographer, he has traveled the globe shooting for numerous clients that include world-class hotels and resorts. He has shot numerous production stills for performers from Branson to Las Vegas. His work can be seen at his website.

The May Festival of the Arts poster is a highly collected “art piece” and Jeremy’s poster is number twenty-five in the series. The collector’s edition will be for sale in Eureka Springs galleries.

The 2012 ARTrageous Parade will take place on Saturday, May 5th for the 25th Annual May Festival of the Arts.

This artful and sometimes outrageous parade rolls through historic downtown Eureka Springs beginning at 2 p.m., but it is recommended that you get there earlier to get the best viewing locations. One of the kick-off events for the May Festival of the Arts, the parade will feature colorful floats, walkers, bands, and more, adorned Eureka-style.

Applications are now available for participation including costumed walkers and walking groups; floats by individuals, businesses, and organizations; bands, and more, to join the parade that will wind down Spring Street starting at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Applications for participation should be completed by April 30th – forms also at Chamber of Commerce in Pine Mountain Village or contact Lorna at 479-363-9402 or email for information.

'Jacobs Ladder' by Jody Stephenson

Studio 62 in Eureka Springs is hosting its 7th Annual Art as Prayer—a month-long exhibition of original works, utilizing art as a vehicle to spirituality. Open 10-5 daily except Wednesdays. Studio 62 is the gallery of resident artists, Jody Stephenson and Ron Lutz. Open year-round.

Location: On Highway 62 West in Eureka Springs, next to Bavarian Inn.

479.363.9209
Website

The design should be in an 11×17 inch format and contain the words:
“25th Annual May Festival of the Arts”
“Eureka Springs, Arkansas”
“May 2012″
Only original artwork will be accepted. Previous winners must wait 2 years before re-entering.
Designs should be submitted on disc in high-resolution jpeg format and be print-ready (300 dpi). Lettering may be done “by hand” or computer generated. An entry form should accompany the CD. The contest is open to residents of Carroll County. The winning entry will receive $250 and the winning design will be used in May Festival of the Arts 2012 advertisements and promotions.

Entries should be dropped off at the Mayor’s office, Eureka Springs City Hall, on or before the January 15th, 2012 deadline.

Entries may also be mailed to:

Eureka Springs City Hall,
Mayor’s Office, 44 S Main,
Eureka Springs, AR, 72632
(Please mark package “May Festival of the Arts”)

To receive an entry form email Zeek Tayor or call 479-253-9318

2009 8'x8' panel by Wendi Lafey - Dandelion Season

The Mayor’s Arts Council of Eureka Springs is revitalizing the space located in the First Street parking lot. The unveiling of the Eureka Springs Art Park will be May 19th, 2012, during the 25th annual May Festival of the Arts.

The new Eureka Springs Art Park, located in downtown Eureka Springs, will be similar to a previous exhibit, the Artery, and will consist of art and photography panels attached to the concrete wall in the parking area.

The art-panels will be two-dimensional in any media that is weather resistant (including photography) and will be created by artists from NW Arkansas. Artists living and/or exhibiting in the counties of Carroll, Benton, Madison, and Washington, are invited to submit a scaled design for consideration for the Art Park. The panels will be either four by eight feet, or four by four feet, and submitted designs should be scaled in proportion (example, 4×8 inches or 4×4 inches.)

The theme for the panels will be “Spirit of the Ozarks” as interpreted by the artist. (For example, thematic ideas may include Ozark landmarks, history, culture, music, diversity, nature, roots).

The artwork will remain on view for a period of not less than one-year, and possibly as long as two years. The panels will be offered for sale with the artist receiving 70% of the purchase price. The remaining 30% of sales revenue will go to the Mayor’s Arts Council’s public art fund.

The deadline for submission is January 30, 2012. The deadline for delivery of the final art work is April 22, 2012.
Artists interested in submitting a design for consideration or to receive the information packet, should contact Sandy Martin or call 479-244-6636.