Lightning organization seeking submission for 2nd annual "Celebration of the Arts"

Last summer, the Tampa Bay Lightning put out a call for local artists to submit their works as a celebration of the arts and directly tied to the team's 20^th anniversary. Plenty of individuals participated with various paintings, photography, sculptures and other artistic submissions... But, I can't help but wonder if perhaps the notion that it was tied to the team and the anniversary scared some would-be participants off from taking a chance and letting their works be judged? "Is it all Lightning related or hockey related?"

No, it didn't have to be related to the team, the sport, or to the weather phenomenon for that matter. Want proof? Look through a gallery of the winners from last year.

The organization, headed by Penny Vinik, is once again calling for submissions from local artists in the second annual Lightning Celebration of the Arts.

You can find the meat and potatoes of the organization's press release on the subject below. If you'd like to skip ahead, venture over to the Lightning's website and view the submission process.

LIGHTNING OPEN CALL TO TAMPA BAY ARTISTS FOR 2013-14

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Times Forum, along with the Lightning Foundation, are excited to announce the 2^nd annual Open Call to Artists exhibition, inviting the local arts community to submit pieces of original artwork to be on for display in the arena during the 2013-14 season. Submissions are due by August 21, 2013 and artists will be notified by September 20 if accepted into the exhibition.

"I'd like to personally thank all of the talented artists who participated in the Lightning Foundation's first annual juried art competition. The winning submissions certainly beautified the walls of the Times Forum throughout the 2012-13 season- and we are looking forward to doing it again for the 2013-14 season," Penny Vinik, wife of Lightning chairman Jeff Vinik, said. "This program is a wonderful way to showcase the creative artists of our community and an important opportunity for us to introduce our fans and visitors to the visual beauty that is Tampa Bay."

Interested artists may submit artwork in the form of painting, photography, drawing or sculpture by logging onto www.tampabaylightning.com/art. Computer art will not be accepted. Artists must be 13 years of age or older and must live or work in the greater Tampa Bay community (Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter, Lake, Orange or Sarasota counties). Each individual may submit up to three fully-completed, original works of art. All hanging artwork shall be no larger than 6'x6', including the frame. Sculptures are limited to 7-feet in height with varying widths accepted. Artists should submit photographs of their artwork on the website for consideration; the deadline will be August 21, 2013 and artists will be notified of acceptance into the Exhibition on September 20, 2013.

The exhibit's goal is to display images that celebrate the history of the Tampa Bay area. A panel composed of local art community leaders from Tampa Bay-area museums will select up to 41 pieces (including sculptures) to be displayed at the Times Forum, on the interior walls of the Suite Level. The jury will select each submission based on the pieces' visual and conceptual impact, and the degree to which it celebrates the Tampa Bay community. The highest-rated pieces as scored by the jury will determine the cash prizes. The top three highest-ranked pieces of art, as selected by the jury, will receive a cash prize in the amounts of: $1500, $1000, and $500 respectively; honorable mentions of pieces ranked four through 10 will each receive $250. All artists will be invited to a reception this fall at which the installed artwork will be unveiled.

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For any questions, please contact Kelley Cureton at kcureton@tampabaytimesforum.com.