Dixie searches for new talent and designs for paper plates by offering money and recognition with their “Art of the Plate Design Competition.” Dixie wants any student or professional artist to try to design the most creative plate. They want to see someone take an ordinary paper plate and make it extraordinary.
Dixie will select 100 winners whose work will go on display at New York’s Museum of Contemporary Arts and Designs in May 2003. A grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and eight first place winners will receive $5,000.
Some of the artists may see their work become a new design for Dixie plates. The people involved with the contest seem very excited about the prospects. David McFadden, chief curator and vice president of the Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design, said that he thinks this competition gives aspiring artists an amazing opportunity.
“In this exciting competition, artists will have the unique challenge of transforming an everyday object-the familiar paper plate-into a work of art,” McFadden said.
Dixie wants professional artists, designers, illustrators and students of art to enter this contest. All entrants must be at least 21 years old or have permission from a legal guardian. Artists have to use a 9-inch diameter white circle to show how their vision would look on a paper plate.
Dixie asks that entrants not send their original work. Instead, Dixie wants the artists to send a color photo (35mm slide) attached to a piece of paper along with their name, address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address. Entries may be submitted online at www.dixiecontest.com or mailed to:
Dixie Art of the Plate Design Competition
133 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303-1847
All entries must be received by Feb. 15. The judging panel consists of Holly Hotchner, director of the Museum of Contemporary Arts and Designs; Judy Francis, president of the Society of Illustrators; and Phillip Verre, deputy director of the High Museum of Art. The judges will review entries based on uniqueness, creativity, originality, aesthetic quality, good taste and suitability for commercial use.