One of the real pleasures I receive as a part of my day job as Director of the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) with the UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies, is working with the Wisconsin Regional Artist Association (WRAA) in supporting the creative work of other artists.  One of the many arts based projects this organization has going is its annual Tiny Treasures exhibition and fundraiser organized and nurtured by WRAA board member Sherry Ackerman (see her own art above).  Sherry talked me into participating in this project last year and it was a blast.  I invite you all to do the same this year.

 

Get your own  creative juices flowing and create one or more  one-of-a-kind 3.5 x 2.5 inch TINY TREASUREs.

For the fifth year in a row, the Wisconsin Regional Artist Association (WRAA) invites artists from everywhere in the world to participate in an exhibition/fundraiser of miniature works of art.

Create art, compete for awards and participate in the WRAA Buy-It-Now fundraiser.

Artworks will be displayed virtually and physically, and are eligible for prizes and other recognitions.  It costs $10.00 per treasure to enter.

WRAA is an organization devoted to providing opportunities for artists who  make art for the joy of creative growth and who do not receive the majority of their income from their art.

Another  of their objectives is to support WRAP Exhibits and Workshops around the state.  The organization collaborates with the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program (WRAP) to offer lay artists the opportunity to show their work in over 20 self-juried exhibits/workshops in Wisconsin communities across the State, as well as sponsoring youth art exhibitions, and producing wonderful art publications for its members. (Go to the Wisconsin Regional Art Blog to learn about the latest calls for entries or go tho the WRAP website for a whole list of opportunities.)

The proceeds from the Tiny Treasure fundraiser benefits the  WRAA’s Publication Fund.  The WRAA Publication Fund helps support the color catalog for the Wisconsin Regional Art Program’s statewide exhibit each September, the WRAA newsletter Contour Notes, and the Tiny Treasures WRAP Pocket Calendar..

All entered art pieces must be original, appropriate for all ages and not entered in previous years.  (No decorated kits are acceptable.)

It is called a TINY treasure because the size must be exactly 2 ½” x 3 ½”.  It should be submitted unmatted and unframed   (However your 2D work will be matted for display by the exhibition organizer).  Depth of piece not to exceed 1”.  These works are the same size as modern trading sports cards, and are also known as Artist Trading Cards.

This competition is open to adults and teens at least 14 years old (calculate age as of July 11, 2014).  Each Tiny Treasure entry costs $10.00.  You do NOT need to be a WRAA member to participate.   There are cash awards:  1st Place $100, 2nd Place $75 and 3rd Place $50. 

You may enter as many Tiny Treasures as you’d like – submit $10 and a separate ID label for each one.

Tiny Treasure entries from prior years can not be submitted again.

WRAA members, a registration form can be found in Contour Notes (for WRAA members), or, for everyone else, the

Entry Form can be downloaded from  the WRAA website at http://www.wraawrap.com

 

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The 2014 Tiny Treasure  exhibit will be on display in Wausau,  as a part of the Wisconsin Regional Art Program ( WRAP) State Conference activities, August 8th to September 26th 2014.

Also new this year is the ability to donate your unsold Tiny Treasures to WRAA to be gifted to a nonprofit organization.   Since Wausau is the location for this year’s WRAP State Day, the WVAA (Wisconsin Valley Art Association) has agreed to coordinate donations to local area non-profits including the Neighborhood Place as well as a Women’s Shelter.

So rather than sticking your Tiny Treasure in a closet if it is not sold, you can share your creative work with the shelter and bring smiles to a lot of women.  All you need to do is check the box on the Entry Form when you enter to indicate your intention.

All entries will also be exhibited virtually on-line at www.wraawrap.com (You can see the 2013 exhibition there now) and the entire Tiny Treasures exhibit will be on display physical in Wausau at the Marathon County Public Library in August 8th to  September 26th 2014.Awards recipients will be recognized as a part of the Wisconsin Regional Art state conference activities the weekend of September 26-27.

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Not only are there cash prizes for the top 3 Tiny Treasures, but there are additional  honorary awards:  12 Tiny Treasures will be featured in WRAA’s Timely Treasures 2015 pocket calendar that lists  the schedule for all of the WRAP exhibit/workshops for the year.