Exhibition of drawings, paintings, sculpture, and other art forms not included in the other salons.

The Fine Arts Salon is the official art exhibition held annually at the NSS Convention to provide a competetive, social, and fund raising venue for all speleoartists. This is the only annual, national art exhibition for speleologists at this time. Those of us who  participate are very proud to be part of something so unique.

The beginning of presenting speleological art was through SpeleoArt, founded by Carolina Shrewsbury in the early 1990s, with the help of Dave Gibson of the BCRA in the UK. SpeleoArt began as a SiG (special interests group) in response to a number of artists world wide who wanted recognition for caves in art. SpeleoArt came over to the USA by invitation, to set up a fine arts exhibiting venue for the NSS.

ENTRIES - All entry forms must be submitted preferably as digital images, but 35 mm slides are acceptable. Do not send original artwork with entry form, please! Mail entry forms to Carolina Shrewsbury (221 Leitha Way, Lakeland, FL 33809), postmarked no later than August 1, 2008, or email to speleoart[at]hawaiiflow.com. Entries submitted at the Convention will be accepted only on a space-available basis. Include a self-portrait preferably as a digital image [a slide or print is acceptable] if you wish it shown at the awards ceremony, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your images returned. All exhibits are encouraged to be sold at Salon or entered for NSS Auction. The NSS will deduct a 25% commission from all art sold. Previously awarded work is encouraged to be exhibited but will not be judged in the Salon. Applications will be screened and artists will be notified by mail or E-mail. Additional information and the Convention address to send artwork will be supplied at time of notification. Each digital image, slide, or photo must be accompanied by: Name of artist, Dimensions of the piece, Category to be judged in (if judging is desired), and Medium.

CATEGORIES - Art will be judged in 7 categories:

Paint/Pastel
Digital/Print
Sketch
3D
Cartoon
Textile and Multimedia

Winners will be selected in each category and a Best of Show overall. Judging will occur at the Convention. Judging for the SpeleoArt Award and Youth Divisions will be by caver ballot.


ENTRY FORMS - Please click logo for adult and child entry forms. They may be submitted online, or printed and mailed. Paper copies may be obtained from Carolina Shrewsbury at the address below.


ENTRY FEE - Entry fees are per person: $15 for adults and $5 for youth (12 and under). Make checks for entry fees payable to the NSS FAS. The number of entries is limited to 4 per person for competition; an optional additional 4 can be entered for show only. There is provision for artwork to be displayed but not judged if the artist so wishes.

RELEASE STATEMENT - Include the following statement with your signature: "I grant to the NSS the right to reproduce images of these entries in NSS exhibits, web sites, catalogues, publications, recordings, and audio/visual programs."

JUDGING - Judging will occur at the Convention. Judging for the Amateur and Youth Divisions will be by caver ballot.

FURTHER INFORMATION - Questions may be referred to Carolina Shrewsbury, 221 Leitha Way, Lakeland, FL 33809 or email <speleoart[at]hawaiiflow.com>.

CHAIR
Carolina Shrewsbury
221 Leitha Way
Lakeland, FL 33809
speleoart[at]hawaiiflow.com