(Above: Hazel Mesman’s painting, Wishful Thinking, was part of The Mayor’s Teen Art Show at the Maude Kerns Art Center in 2017.)

By Randi Bjornstad

The deadline is Monday, Aug. 2, for artists ages 13-19 years to submit entries for Fast Forward: The Mayor’s Teen Art Show, which will be on display at the Maude Kerns Art Center from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1, 2021. Information and the application can be found online at the art center’s website, mkartcenter.org.

Applications will be accepted from teen artists in the greater Eugene area and will eligible for prizes, including The Mayor’s Choice Award. Sarah Ciampi, exhibits coordinator for the art center, says that “our definition of ‘greater Eugene’ is not super strict.”

Teens from Eugene, Springfield, Crow, Veneta, Elmira, Alvadore, Cottage Grove, Creswell, Pleasant Hill, Lowell, Junction City, and other nearby small towns and communities that are oriented toward Eugene and generally less than an hour or so away may be included, Ciampa said. “Places we do not include would be larger towns and cities,” she said.

Original two- and three-dimensional artwork — painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital art — created in the 12 months preceding the submission deadline is eligible for consideration in the show. Artwork must be ready to display or hang in order to be included in the exhibit.

Each teen artist may submit up to five pieces for consideration; an image of each piece must be included in “jpeg” format and uploaded to the application form separately and must include the artist’s last name  and the name of the artwork, for example “Smith.StillLifePainting.jpeg”.

The inclusion of an “artist statement” is recommended, describing the artist’s thoughts about the entry, why and how it was created, and other comments germane to its viewing by the public.

The Maude Kerns Art Center

Where: 1910 E. 15th Ave., Eugene (corner of Villard and 15th)

Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, plus noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday during exhibits

Information: 541-345-1571 or mkartcenter.org