Art of the State is the annual, juried art exhibition, co-sponsored for an amazing 45 consecutive years by The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council and The State Museum of Pennsylvania, PHMC. This is an impressive collaboration begun in 1964 - few non-profits have continued a partnership for so many years. Neither The State Museum nor the GHAC could accomplish this annual event without the other. Is recognized as the official, statewide, juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. The finest current works of established and emerging artists are selected by a distinguished panel of jurors. Most pieces are available for purchase. The competition, open only to Pennsylvanians, includes five categories: Works on Paper, Painting, Sculpture, Craft and Photography.

In 2011, jurors selected 135 pieces from 1,933 entries. The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council presents cash prizes, totaling more than $6,500. The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council sincerely appreciates the dedication and expertise of the staff of The State Museum of Pennsylvania and the volunteers, who, through their year-round efforts, make this exhibition a prestigious statewide showcase for the talent, creativity and diversity of Pennsylvania artists.

Entry Forms Now Available for Art of the State 2012

Artists throughout the state are encouraged to apply for an opportunity to showcase their work in Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2012, a juried art exhibition that is open to state residents and will run from June 16 to Sept. 9 at The State Museum in Harrisburg.

Artists can compete in five categories: painting, works on paper, photography, sculpture and craft. Submissions can be submitted digitally.

The Entry Forms is available by clicking here (insert hyperlink to application PDF). The application deadline is Feb. 29.

More than $7,000 in cash awards will be presented at an opening reception at The State Museum on Saturday, June 16. A first prize of $500, second prize of $300, and third prize of $200 will be awarded in each of the five categories. Additional awards are $250 for the Rose Roy Memorial Award Honoring Volunteerism and the $250 for the William D. Davis Memorial Award for Drawing. The State Museum will select one of the pieces of art for its permanent collection. The artist will receive a $2,000 Purchase Prize.

Exhibit jurors include:

• Karen L. Mulder, Art and Architectural Historian, Instructor, Corcoran College of Art and Design, Washington DC, Painting and Works on Paper.
• Marc Duke, Award winning freelance photographer, Leesburg, FL., Photography.
• Emily Zilber, Ronald C. and Anita L. Wornick Curator of Contemporary Decorative Arts, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, Three-Dimensional Craft and Sculpture.
• Catriona Fraser, Owner/Director, Fraser Gallery, Bethesda MD, Awards Juror.

Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2012 is co-sponsored by The State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council.