2023 Teen Arts Festival

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2023 Teen Arts Festival

This prestigious show, funded by Friends of the Library, celebrates the talent of young artists through a juried art exhibition. This provides artists ages 13-19 the opportunity to showcase their art to the Memphis/Shelby County and surrounding areas. Accepted artwork in the following forms: paintings, drawings, original prints, fiber art, ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphic design, jewelry, film and fashion. Our theme for the Teen Arts Fest is “Community, Belonging, and Conversation” Give us your best interpretations of this theme! 

The following prizes are awarded: 

$500 — Best in Show 

$300 — First Place 

$200 — Second Place 

$250 Purchase Award-To be sponsored by a local organization.  

The exhibition is supported by Friends of the Library, Memphis Public Libraries, and The City of Memphis.

Submissions are open and will be judged by a team of accomplished artist who have been provided a rubric for judging. We will not be able to provide any judging feedback. Notifications on acceptance or non acceptance will be sent by: October 5th. Those accepted into the exhibition will receive further instructions on drop off of project and if you submitted multiple projects, which project was formally accepted into the exhibition. Nono gratuitous violence after sexual imagery and drug use” Keep it PG!

Teen Arts Fest Rules & Guidelines

  • Entries- September 5th-September 30th  
  • Notifications to accepted artists via email – October 5th 
  • Notifications to non-accepted artists via email – October 5th
  • Drop off Dates – October 10th – 20th
    • Drop off locations will be at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, Cordova Library, and other locations will be announced soon.  

The following prizes are awarded: 

$500 — Best in Show 

$300 — First Place 

$200 — Second Place 

$250 Purchase award-To be sponsored by a local organization or company

Pieces will be judged by Visual Impact, Interpretation and Creativity, Composition/Design and Craftmanship.

The exhibition is open to artists  13-19 in the Memphis/Shelby County TN. Area

There are no fees associated with the Friends of the Library Teen Arts Fest. 

If your art piece is purchased, 20% of the purchase will go towards the Friends of the Library Branch that you designate.  

Entry forms, images must be submitted electronically. You can submit your entries at the below application. 

  • Artists may submit up to three pieces for judging.  
  • Images must be in JPG format, minimum 300 DPI resolution, and identified by the artist’s last name and (unique) title of work. Image file size must not exceed 10 MB.  
  • Images may be used for marketing and exhibition-related publication.
  • Eligible Work: 
  • Artwork in the following forms is accepted: Paintings, drawings, original prints, fiber art, ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphic design, jewelry, film, and fashion.  
  • All components must be affixed, no separate parts.  
  • Teen Arts Fest cannot accept performance or installation works.  
  • Only original artworks by the entering artist will be accepted, no reproductions.  
  • Entries must have been completed within the last three years. 

Entry Specifications: 

Two-dimensional entries may be at most 70 inches by 70 inches and must be no smaller than 8 inches by 10 inches framed.  

• All two-dimensional work must be framed and/or ready for display.  

• Works on paper must be framed and glazed or matted.   

• Three-dimensional entries may not exceed 30 pounds and 30 inches by 30 inches. 

Photography and Digital art must be printed out, matted, and framed. Photography and Digital Art must submit one print. You are not able to sell multiple prints.  

Video Submissions: 

  • Video work must be a max of ten minutes from opening to ending credits. Video components must be either 720p = 1280 x 720 or  1080p = 1920 x 1080
  • Please provide a link to only one video work (No password protection to video please). Link can be YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive Link, or DropBox. Please ensure clear sound, and video and proper credits are at the end of the videos. 
  •  Teen Arts Fest may refuse to exhibit any work that does not comply with the juried image, or that Teen Arts Fest is unsuitable for display.  
  • If your art piece is purchased, 20% of the purchase will go towards the Friends of the Library Branch that you designate.  
  •  The listed sales prices must include the commission.  
  • Pricing Guide: (Hourly Wage × Hours Spent) + Cost of Materials 

           We suggest an hourly wage of $10.00 to $13.00 per hour 

  •  Films will not be eligible for sale

• If the artwork is not for sale, print “NFS,” but a value is still required.

Friends of the Library-Teen Arts Fest reserves the right to photograph and reproduce all works accepted into the exhibition for educational and media purposes. 

Friends of the Library-Teen Arts Fest does not insure artworks in this exhibition while on display or while in transit to and from Teen Arts Fest. Friends of the Library-Teen Arts Fest, its staff, and its volunteers are not responsible for loss or damage to artworks in this exhibition however the damage may be caused. The entrant’s submission of the entry form constitutes an agreement to these terms and conditions.  

For questions about the Friends of the Library-Teen Arts Fest  Juried Exhibition or for help with the submission process, please contact Teen Services Coordinator at jessica.chaney@memphistn.gov  

Submissions are reviewed by a panel of esteemed judges and library reps. Notifications for acceptance or nonacceptance into the show will be sent. If you are accepted into the show, you will be instructed on when and where to drop off your artwork. Accepted or not accepted into the show, we work to encourage youth artists to attend and enjoy!

Teen Artists MAY(if the piece requires special installation) be asked to support and assist with setting up and showcasing their pieces.

 All accepted artists are required to participate in the event. This is an opportunity to show your work and possibly sell your artwork. It is required that you, or a representative be at the event.

Please invite friends, family, teachers, and anyone that supports you in your community. This is a celebration for you and we would love to see as many people there as possible.

Artist Application

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Teen Artist Name
This is the primary form of contact. Please double-check that it's correct.
Parent/Guardian Name
This is the primary form of contact. Please double-check that it's correct.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
If your art is purchased, 20% of your sale goes to this branch Art Submission type. You may submit up to three projects. From the three submission, we will choose one to be displayed. Art Submission Description: Materials Used/Size. Please refer to the Submission Guidelines for your projects
Not sure what, or how to price your piece? Follow the guidelines below for help. If your piece is chosen for exhibition, the Teen Arts Fest Committee can help with pricing as well. Pricing Guide: (Hourly Wage × Hours Spent) + Cost of Materials We suggest an hourly wage of $13.00 to $15.00 per hour
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Not sure what, or how to price your piece? Follow the guidelines below for help. If your piece is chosen for exhibition, the Teen Arts Fest Committee can help with pricing as well. Pricing Guide: (Hourly Wage × Hours Spent) + Cost of Materials We suggest an hourly wage of $13.00 to $15.00 per hour
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Not sure what, or how to price your piece? Follow the guidelines below for help. If your piece is chosen for exhibition, the Teen Arts Fest Committee can help with pricing as well. Pricing Guide: (Hourly Wage × Hours Spent) + Cost of Materials We suggest an hourly wage of $13.00 to $15.00 per hour
Has the film been screen anywhere else?

Photo and Video Release:

By entering into the Teen Arts Festival, you're agreeing that the participant of the Teen Arts Festival can be filmed and photographed for grant compliance, and you give the Memphis Public Library & Information Center permission and rights to use the camp participant’s image(s) and / or voice(s) for broadcast on WYPL–TV 18 and WYPL Radio, photographic image, or written submissions in Memphis Public Library’s publications, social media, and displays. This release is made without charge to the Memphis Public Library & Information Center now or in the future, and it entails no obligations, legal or otherwise, on the part of Memphis Public Libraries or its broadcast services.

FAQ

The Teen Arts Fest:  

Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023 

Time: 11am-2pm 

Location: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library 

Yes! 

Artist may submit up to three pieces for judging.

Interested Teens can apply at memphislibrary.org. There is a “Call to Artist” page that outlines all submission information with important dates, times, and locations.  After reading the information, youth are encouraged to apply through our online application.  

Submission are reviewed by a panel of esteemed judges and library reps. Notifications for acceptance or nonacceptance into the show will be sent. If you are accepted into the show, you will be instructed on when and where to drop off your artwork. Accepted or not accepted into the show, we work to encourage youth artist to attend and enjoy!  

Teen Artist MAY(if the piece requires special installation) be asked to support and assist with set up and showcasing their pieces. 

Yes! All accepted artist are required to participate in the event. This is an opportunity to show your work and possibly sell your artwork. It is required that you, or a representative be at the event.

Please invite, friends, family, teachers, and anyone that supports you in your community. This is a celebration for you and we would love to see as many people there as possible.

Keynote & Jurors

About Jacob Platania

Hailing from Memphis, TN, Jacob Platania is not just an artist but an illustrator whose skills were honed at Southwest Community College, where he secured an AA in Graphic Design. He’s the creative force behind the comic book “Cosmic Skunk,” proudly published by Memphis’s own “Bad Dog Comics.” Beyond crafting narratives on paper, Jacob has a heart for the community. He has collaborated with St. Jude, donning the Batman persona, to bring joy and drawing lessons to its patients. Currently, he mentors young minds at the Cloud 901 Learning Lab, guiding teens in the craft of comic creation. Art curation is another feather in Jacob’s cap. He has curated numerous art showcases, including those for The Lightclub’s Trolly Night, and has also taken the lead in organizing events under his own banner.Jacob lives by a profound philosophy: “An individual’s only legacy will be the art they leave behind.”

About Jerry Lynn

Jerry was born and raised in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. He received early success and recognition with the collaborative art he created with his brother under the moniker “Twin”. His art is in the collections of celebrities, business leaders, and notable people such as Bob Johnson, Kem, Alonzo Mourning, and Isaiah Thomas to name a few. His current practice involves taking black figures from the past and present and immortalizing them on canvas in a refreshing way. His art was recently selected for the upcoming exhibit “Red Clay Survey” at the Huntsville Museum of Art, Alabama.