Fine Arts Competition

Calendar

September 2 (Tues): Application deadline
September 10 (Wed): Results emailed
September 27* (Sat): Art intake 10-2pm
October 1 (Wed): Awards notification
October 5 (Sun): Reception at 2-5pm Awards at 3pm

*See contact info below for alternate intake arrangements. Artists are also responsible for picking up their artwork following the close of the exhibition, see “Logistics” for details.

Awards

Richard Kubiński Best in Show: $500
First: $400 Second: $300 Third: $200
Best Polish Theme**: $400
Three Honorable Mentions: $100 each

**Should there not be a Polish Theme of sufficient merit, FPA/PICROL reserves the right to withhold award.

Introduction

The Friends of Polish Art Fine Arts competition, formerly known as the Kubinski Fine Arts Competition, began in 1985 to encourage the development of artists of Polish descent and to promote Polish culture. The annual exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Richard Kubinski, former FPA vice-president, art chair & cultural activities chair. He was a former Kosciuszko Foundation art scholarship recipient who studied in Poland. He was a talent extraordinaire, gifted in poetry, writing, journalism, translation, art painting, history, dance, spoken word and in the media, both radio and television. He was an educator and an inspiring example to the youth of the community. His premature death before the age of 35 was a deeply felt tragic loss. The competition has since evolved and now allows all artists in the community to participate and display their artwork in the Galeria on the Orchard Lake Schools campus. A special award category continues the competition’s legacy of recognizing art that expresses Polish cultural values and themes.

Entry Procedure

An artist may submit up to five entries. There is a non-refundable entry fee:
Artist: $30 for up to 5 entries
College Student (18 yrs. +): $10 for up to 5 entries

Eligibility

Participation is open to all artists 18 and older. Original artworks in all media (both 2D & 3D) completed after January 1, 2020 will be accepted for jury. Artists of all backgrounds are welcome to participate.

Entries will be juried by digital image files only.

Submit 1 image for each 2-dimensional work. Submit a maximum of 3 images for each 3-dimensional work.

Digital Specs

Save images as .JPG Please keep files to a maximum of 5 MB.
Image file names should be formatted as follows: Last Name_First Name_A

Entry Process

Entry form to be completed on FPA Website: https://www.friendsofpolishart.org/competitions/fine-arts-competition/. Complete a separate form for each entry.
Pay entry fee either by Venmo (see donate tab on FPA Website: https://www.friendsofpolishart.org/) or by check or money order payable to “Friends of Polish Art” and mail to the address below.
Applicant to be notified of acceptance status by email
Optional: Artist is welcome to share their CV & an Artist Statement to supplement their application and contextualize their practice should their artwork be included in the exhibition. Note that neither document is a requirement, nor will they impact the jury decision.

Mail entry fee to:

Friends of Polish Art Fine Arts Competition
2615 W. 12 Mile Road, Ste 118
Berkley, MI. 48072–1067

Note: As mentioned above, payment is also accepted via Venmo on the FPA website.

Presentation Requirements

Entries accepted for the final jury and exhibition must be delivered to the Galeria on Saturday, September 27 between the hours of 9 am – 5 pm with completed ID labels attached. Please Contact Elijah Majeski (emajeski@picrol.org) for alternate arrangements. Note that the artist is completely responsible for artwork transportation, delivery, and return. Work must be mounted and framed in a professional manner (canvases may have finished edges) and properly wired for hanging – note that the Galeria’s hanging system requires that a wire or D rings be attached, no nails can be in the walls. For wall hanging works, the maximum dimensions are 60” on the longest side. Sculpture pieces should not be larger than 24”x24”x24”. A limited number of standard white pedestals are available for use upon request. Clip-on and poster frames will not be accepted. The artist is responsible for any special hardware and instructions for installation, assistance in placement of floor pieces over 100 lbs., and may be requested to provide a pedestal or display case for small or fragile works.

Logistics

Precautions will be exercised for the safety of the artwork. However, neither Friends of Polish Art nor PICROL/Orchard Lake Schools can assume any risk of handling, or the responsibility of loss, theft, or damage, whatever the cause. Liability forms to confirm these terms will be required to be signed upon receipt of the artwork. Upon intake, please make sure each work is identified with the following information: Name, Title, Media, Dimensions: H x W X D in., Price/NFS, and Insurance Value. Condition reports will be made for each work upon arrival. Please note and record the number of parts or pieces per entry. Artists wishing to insure their work should contact their insurance agents directly. Applicants are responsible for the transport, delivery, and return of all submissions. As previously mentioned, artworks must be delivered to the Galeria on Saturday, September 27 between the hours of 9 am – 5 pm. Following the exhibition, artworks may be picked up October 27 – October 31 from 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday November 2 from 12 – 3 pm. All artworks must be picked up by November 2^nd at the latest, as adequate storage is not available on the PICROL campus. Please contact Elijah Majeski at (emajeski@picrol.org) at least 24 hours in advance to confirm the time and date of pickup, if alternate arrangements are necessary, please provide notice as soon as possible.

Juror: Martin Zane Skalski

Professor Skalski taught full-time at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY for over 25 years. His research and teaching focused on two-and three-dimensional visual aesthetics, drawing and the use of the visual for discovering and developing new functional products. He is a Fulbright Scholar and has taught internationally in China and Turkey and at art and design schools in Michigan. He received his master’s degree from Pratt and his bachelor’s from the University of Toledo. He has received grants from the NEA, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Daimler Chrysler and directed design projects for Northrup Grumman, BASF/Mearl, Black and Decker, NASA, NEC, Corning, Nissan, Ford and GM. Presently he is working on a series of steel sculptures with complex surface qualities, presenting workshops for high school art teachers and remodeling his home in Rochester Hills.

Sales

A 40% commission is retained by FPA & PICROL on all sales made during the exhibition to support the competition. Sale price of art may not change after entry. No discounts will be offered. The artist will be notified within 48 hours of a sale and provided with the name of the purchaser for their records. Payment will be made to the artist within 30 days of the closing of the exhibition. Sold works will remain on view through the run of the exhibition on October 24, 2025. The purchaser will be responsible for arrangements for the pickup or delivery of the acquired artwork at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Rights & Reproductions

FPA & PICROL reserve the right to photograph and reproduce, in color, black and white or video, all entries accepted for the exhibition regardless of copyright. Photographs and reproductions may be used for educational and publicity purposes only.

Agreement

Submission of work to the juror constitutes an agreement to comply with all the conditions set forth in this prospectus. The juror may request the title, media and dimensions. Identities of artists are not disclosed. The decision of the juror is final. An artist may only win one award. Award winners will be notified by email of the juror’s decisions. All accepted work will remain as placed by the installation team and may not be withdrawn before the close of the exhibit. The juror may exercise the right to reject any work that fails to meet eligibility requirements.

Location

The Galeria (Bldg. 8) on the Orchard Lake Schools Campus
3535 Commerce Rd, Orchard Lake, MI 48324

Contact the Exhibit Cordinator

586-703-0301 or emajeski@picrol.org
For information: www.friendsofpolishart.org
For a map of campus: https://www.orchardlakeschools.com/campus-map-directions