RISING EYES OF TEXAS

Every year, Rockport Center for the Arts hosts a statewide, juried exhibition for undergraduate and graduate students emerging in the visual arts. Cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place.

Thanks to a generous donation from the Christopher and Jessica Giesey - Rising Eyes of Texas Scholarship Fund, submission fees are now just $5 for up to three artwork submissions. The Giesey family wants to support fledgling artists as they begin on their upward journey in the art world.

Past jurors have been 2024, Tracy Saucier (director of the Beeville Art Museum), 2023 - Tanja Peterson (gallery director, Redbud Arts Center), 2022 - Joseph Cohen (artist, and founder of Davis Cohen Fine Art), 2021 - Rigoberta Luna (co-owner Presa House), 2020 - Rebecca Gomez (independent curator, former curator Mexic-arte Museum), 2019 - Hollis Hammonds (Professor of Art, St. Edwards University), 2018 - Rainey Knudson (founder of Glasstire).

2025 Rising Eyes of Texas Exhibition Date: March 7- April 20, 2025. Submission Deadline: January 30, 2025

 
Quantity:
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ELIGIBILITY
All student artist age 18 and over who are currently enrolled at a university, college, community college or technical school in the state of Texas are eligible. Entering artists must be prepared to show proof of enrollment with a current student ID. All media are accepted for entry.

ENTRIES
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, January 30, 2025 (11:59pm CST).
Submissions will be accepted online only. Notification of acceptance will be sent by February 6, 2025.

PRIZE INFORMATION
Three winners are awarded cash prizes.
$500 for First prize
$300 for Second prize
$200 for Third prize
$500 for Giesey Award Prize
$500 for Curator’s Choice Award
The 2025 Juror is TBA.

ENTRY FEES
1-3 artwork submissions allowed per student. $5 entry fee regardless of number of submissions. Entry fees are non­refundable and must be received by the entry deadline.

MEDIA / SPECIFICATIONS

  • Works must not be larger than larger than 72 inches

  • Each artist may submit up to Three entries

  • Artists must state the final sale price upon submission. Sale price cannot be changed.
    NOTE: Prices and/or size of works may be taken into consideration by the jury if deemed excessive for this exhibition

PRESENTATION
Accepted 2D artworks must be ready to hang for formal gallery presentation with all the necessary hardware as well as withstand the rigors of packaged shipment (i.e. all paper/mylar/etc. works MUST be framed or mounted, no clips or magnets will be used to hang work.) Accepted 2D artworks MUST HAVE D-RINGS OR WIRE ATTACHED prior to delivery. Accepted artworks must withstand the rigors of packaged shipment. Each work of art is received in good condition unless otherwise noted. No objects will be exhibited that might be unsafe or cause injury to the Gallery, visitors, or staff. Works damaged in transit will not be displayed.

EXHIBITION
Rising Eyes of Texas 2025 opens March 7, 2025 and continues through April 20, 2025. A public reception and presentation of awards will take place March 8, 2025, and additional reception on April 12, 2025. If you work is accepted, we encourage you and your friends, and/ or family to come to both receptions. They are free and open to the public. All accepted works must remain on view until the close of the exhibition unless otherwise agreed upon arrangements have been made in writing.

DELIVERY of ACCEPTED WORKS

  • Mailed work and hand deliveries must arrive at Rockport Center for the Arts between February 24 -March 3, 2025.

  • If delivering by hand, building hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.

  • C.O.D. deliveries will not be accepted.

  • Late or damaged shipments will not be received.

  • Works must be shipped in reusable packing cartons with return shipping label included.

Deliver all accepted works to:
Rockport Center for the Arts
ATTN: 2025 Rising Eyes of Texas
204 S. Austin Street
Rockport, TX 78382

RETURN of ACCEPTED WORKS
Return of artwork begins Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Artists are responsible for the return shipping costs of their work. Pre-paid labels can be sent with the artwork or to catey@rockportartcenter.com or you may pick work in person between April 22 - 29, 2025.

LIABILITY
All reasonable care will be given to objects in the custody of the Rockport Center for the Arts. Works are insured while on exhibition. The Art Center cannot assume responsibility for possible loss in transit or damage or deterioration incurred before the exhibition, or after if not removed/picked up as stated above. It is understood that unsold works that are not removed from the exhibition by the end of the loan agreement by the artist/lender will no longer be property of the artist/lender and the Rockport Center for the Arts reserves the right to use artwork as it sees fit.

SALES/REPRODUCTION
Artists will receive 60% of the sale price, and the Rockport Center for the Arts will receive 40% in support of administrative costs. Rockport Center for the Arts reserves the right to reproduce accepted entries in all exhibition and promotional material.

ABOUT THE JUROR
TBA

QUESTIONS?
Contact catey@rockportartcenter.com

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