BRIDGEPORT — Come to the Bridgeport Art Center and you might just catch a rising star.
The South Side gallery's juried competition kicks off Saturday with an awards reception, where six local artists will take home cash prizes.
Now in its second year, the contest is designed to highlight local artistic talent. It's open to artists 18 and over who live or work within 100 miles who've submitted paintings, drawings, graphic art, photography, sculptures, 3D work and other forms of mixed media.
Last year's winner, Joel Fisher, of Pilsen, won $1,000 and had his winning work exhibited at the gallery, 1200 W. 35th St.
Saturday's reception takes place 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Bridgeport Art Gallery, located on the art center's fourth floor.
About 150 artists submitted entries this year. Nearly 75 were selected as finalists — "only as many works as could properly be displayed in the gallery," said curator Lelde Kalmite.
"It's a very large exhibit," she said.
Judging the contest are Michiko Kobayashi, director of the social-justice art nonprofit HumanThread, and renowned sculptor John David Mooney.
The best of show piece will earn the artist $1,000. Second prize is $750 and jurors will also award cash to pieces showing the best figurative and 3D work, as well as the most innovative use of medium/media $250
But guests at the reception will also have a say: one $500 prize will be awarded in a people's choice vote at Saturday's event.
