Seniors, you’re invited to submit your work to the annual Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition.
Your piece should creatively interpret the theme: Reflect. Show us what it means to you in 2024 as we celebrate The City of Oshawa’s centennial.
Download the printable Seniors Art Competition Rules Brochure and Registration Form.
Competition Categories:
Novice (one winner, one honourable mention)
This category is open to any new artists who have been making artwork for three years or less. If you have entered this competition or another in the past, you are not eligible for this award.
Hobby (one winner, one honourable mention)
This category is open to any artists who do not sell or show their work commercially. If you have an exhibition history in galleries, festivals, or juried shows (excluding the Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition) or teach art professionally, you are not eligible for this category.
Open (one winner, one honourable mention)
This category is open to any artists who may have had showings of their work in galleries, festivals, or juried shows or who may teach art professionally.
Winners for each award category will be selected according to the following criteria:
- Originality and response to the theme
- The overall composition and effective use of the elements of art
- Mastery of techniques and materials
Important Dates:
Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition: Info Session & Exhibition Tour
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Tuesday / April 24 / 1-2 pm
Learn about the contest entry guidelines and gain insight into the jurying process with help from RMG staff. We will review the competition’s judging criteria, the competition categories, and answer all of your questions.
Submission Drop-off:
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Tuesday / August 13 / 10 am-4 pm
Please bring your artwork ready to hang (e.g. in a frame or with hanging hardware) with your completed submission form.
Exhibition: August 17 to September 29, 2024
Opening and Awards Reception:
Gallery A, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Wednesday / August 20 / 2:30 pm
Refreshments will be provided.
Submission Pick-up:
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Thursday / October 1 / 10 am-4 pm
Please make arrangements to pick up your artwork from the gallery.
Eligibility Requirements:
- We invite artists to submit one (1) original artwork relating to the theme of Reflect.
- Only artworks created in 2023 and 2024 are eligible.
- 2D and 3D entries of any medium will be accepted (up to 4’x4’x4’).
- Participants must be 55+ and hold a current membership at Oshawa Public Libraries, the Oshawa Senior Community Centres, or The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.
- Staff members of Oshawa Public Libraries, the Oshawa Senior Community Centres, or The Robert McLaughlin Gallery are not eligible.
- The RMG is responsible for demonstrating the utmost discretion regarding the presence of culturally appropriated content or potentially offensive subjects. We do not wish to censor your creative process. If you are concerned about your work’s eligibility, please email Hannah Keating at hkeating@rmg.on.ca.
The 2023 Winners:
Novice:
- Winner: Renate Belzing
- Runner Up: Marian Vink
Hobby:
- Winner: Grant F. Benham
- Runner Up: Kim McIntyre
Open:
- Winner: Darryl Thorogood
- Runner Up: Marijatta Beasley
