Fountain Square’s Art Squared and Masterpiece in a Day competition returns after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

The festival and competition will be on Saturday, September 17th.
For Masterpiece in a Day, artists will spend the day outside in Fountain Square creating a work of art from 9 am to 3 pm. At 3 pm the artwork will be submitted for judging.

There are a few changes this year, as we ease back into the routine:

Entrants must be at least 14 years old through adult age to compete and win prizes.
There will be no separate kids category, but we are allowing artists as young as 14 to compete in the larger adult group. Entrants aged 14 to 18 must have a parent present.

This is for visual artists only, this call does not include music or writing this year.

Schedule: 9:00am – 11:00am, Art Competition Check-In at 1034 Woodlawn Avenue (across from Bovaconti Coffee). *This location is a change from years past and will be marked with signs.

9:00 Art Competition Begins
11:00 Registration Closed
3:00 Art Competition Ends
3:30 Doors locked and judging begins
3:30 – 5:00 Judging
6:00 Awards Ceremony at 924 Shelby Street

Subject or Theme: No restrictions other than it must be appropriate for public presentation; Masterpiece in a Day is a family-friendly event.

Entry: All entrants must sign in the day of the competition at 1034 Woodlawn Avenue. There is no need to sign up before or to contact affirming participation. Entrants will be given a registration form between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. day-of, in order to participate.

*No prior work is allowed. Work must be completed in Fountain Square between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and must be submitted no later than 3:30 p.m. All artists must transport their work to the judging site.

*The work place boundaries are Pleasant Street to the north, Olive Street to the east, Prospect Street to the south, St. the west side of Virginia Ave. to the west (including the Cultural Trail and outdoor areas), with an angled boundary of Buchanan Street down the alley to Hosbrook Street to cap off the northwest.

*The plaza by the fountains has been reserved for participating artists.

*2 Dimensional –Includes painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and most textiles. These entries are primarily on a flat plane.

*3 Dimensional – Sculptures and entries that occupy space and are intended to be viewed from multiple angles. These entries are not intended to be site specific. These items must be delivered to the judging area and artists will be responsible for their own display set-up as well as tear-down. There is no “site required” installation aspect for this category.

*Video pieces are allowed but the artist must provide all equipment for display and will be responsible for its care and security, as well as their own display set-up and tear-down.

*Supplies and materials must be supplied by the artist. Given the variety of media allowed, it is impossible to supply materials to entrants.

Prizes:
1st Place: $1000
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $250

The prize-winning pieces will be come the property of the Fountain Fletcher District Association. Prize money is considered a purchase price for the piece. This year’s Masterpiece In A Day is sponsored by Kirk Realty Team.

Judging: Winners will be selected by a panel of three judges, from various aspects of the Indianapolis art community. This year’s judges include Kerrigan Clark, of the Racecar Gallery in the Circle City Industrial Complex, and Consuelo Lockhart, of the Latina Welding Guild.

Vendor Booths: Art Squared, the larger festival around MIAD, centers on artist-centric booths. If you are interested in a booth, please email Laura Giffel, laura@fountainfletcher.com for additional information. Vending artists can participate in MIAD, provided they can meet the registration and work deadlines.