The 19th High School Visual Arts Competition is back in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library for 2022! Registration is now OPEN.

Important Dates

• Registration Deadline (online): Tue 2/22, midnight
• Artwork Drop Off (Orinda Library): Mon 2/28, 4-6pm
• Artist & Awards Reception (Orinda Library): Thu 3/10, 7-8:30pm
• Artwork Pickup (Orinda Library): Thu 3/31, 3-6pm

The High School Visual Arts Competition showcases and acknowledges art in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and the Lamorinda Arts Alliance Digital Art category.  All work is by high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga, including all schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit citations, an in-person art exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library plus an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website. To visit the HSVAC website click HERE.

All entries accepted for the 2021 High School Visual Arts Competition, which was conducted completely online, can be viewed HERE.
To view the full list of award winners for the 2021 competition, click HERE.

HSVAC 2022 Categories

The Lamorinda Arts Council High School Visual Arts Competition accepts entries for:

• 2D: painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, collage
• 3D: ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, construction
• Photography: traditional film and digital photography
• Lamorinda Arts Alliance Digital Art Category: two-dimensional artwork that is produced or manipulated on a computer platform and then printed on paper, canvas or other material. The artwork may be an original digital painting, a digital graphic or illustration, or a photo image that has been manipulated beyond enhancement or applying effect to a photograph.

Awards

Cash prizes for Best in Show and 1st – 3rd place & up to 3 honorable mentions per category, for a total of up to $3,000, will be awarded.

Best in Show – $300

Per Category:
1st Place – $300
2nd Place – $200
3rd Place – $100
Honorable Mentions – $25 each

For registration questions email HSVAC Curators HERE. For other questions email HSVAC Co-Chair Pat Jenson at patjensen22@gmail.com.

Eligibility and Rules

All high school students living in or attending high school in Moraga, Orinda, or Lafayette and/or Acalanes Union High School District, including Las Lomas High School, are invited to participate.

• Students may submit only one art piece per category, but may enter more than one category.
• Entries in 2D, Photography, and Digital Artwork categories may not exceed 36″ x 36″ or 36″ x 48″. 3D Artwork may not exceed 36″ in height.
• Artwork must be created while the student attends high school (9-12 grade). During the registration process, students will be asked to list their teacher’s name for artwork that was created in class during school. We want to acknowledge the contribution of Art Teachers on behalf of our students and community. Artwork that was created outside of school may be submitted as long as the work was done while attending high school.
• Artwork must be of the student’s own creation and not produced in collaboration with others (except in guidance from a teacher).
• Artwork must be the student’s own original concept and not a copy of anyone else’s copyrighted material.
• The Lamorinda Arts Council, which maintains the physical gallery space and the online gallery, requires that all artwork displayed must be appropriate for patrons of all ages. Within the Lamorinda Arts Council’s sole discretion, artwork that is overtly violent, overtly racist, or overtly religious will not be permitted. Artwork with depictions of nudity will not be permitted. If you have questions about the suitability of your content, contact the curator.

Judges/Judging Criteria

Professionals with experience in (practicing, teaching, or representing) the categories judge the competition. The criteria used for judging is:

• Creativity and originality
• Content
• Degree of expertise in the chosen medium

The mission of the Lamorinda Arts Council is to ignite and sustain artistic expression and appreciation for all ages throughout Lamorinda. Visit the HSVAC exhibit during normal Library Hours, Mon. – Thur., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Sun. All Contra Costa County Libraries are closed all day Wed., March 30. Call 925.254.2184 for more information about the Orinda Library or visit http://ccclib.org.