By Fred Bivins

Attention artists! It’s that time of year again, so get ready to enter your best work on May 4th or 5th

The Festival Regional Arts Competition and Exhibition has a new home for festival 2017 — going back to the old federal building, now the Woodbridge N. Ferris Building of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). KCAD has agreed to host the Exhibition and also is sponsoring the Juror Awards again this year. (A festival stage will be on Pearl between the KCAD buildings so the college will be fully included in the footprint of festival 2017.)

The dates for the Exhibition will be June 1, 2017, through July 15, 2017. The opening Reception will be on Wednesday, May 31, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

While this year’s Exhibition will be in the Fed Galleries @ KCAD, the timeline has dictated that entries are accepted at a different location — the former Water Department Office Building at 1101 Monroe North (just south of Leonard) to take in, and jury art entries. Those selected will be transferred to the Fed Galleries by Festival. Non-selected works will be picked up at 1101 Monroe North.

Drop-off dates and times at 1101 Monroe North:

Thursday, May 4, noon to 6:00 pm

Friday, May 5, 3:00 to 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 6, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Pick-up of non-selected works at 1101 Monroe North:

Friday, May 12, 3:00 to 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

There are three jurors: Diane Zeeuw will be the juror for Painting and drawing. Tim Priest will be the juror for Photography. Lindsay Isenhart will be the Juror for 3-Dimensional and Multi Media works. Here is the link to their bios.

Following the close of the Regional Exhibition at KCAD, selected Award-winning pieces will be moved to the Grand Rapids Art Museum for display in the East Gallery from July 18 through August 27.

The online registration application and all of the entry information including sizes, entry fees, rules, and juror bios are available here.

For all information and to register go here.