The "Best of the Vets" Gulf Coast Art Contest is now accepting submissions from military veterans living in Baldwin County, Alabama, and Escambia County, Florida. 

The contest includes Literary Art/Poetry and 2D/3D Artwork in the following categories:

• Clay
• Digital Media/Photography
• Metal
• Mixed Media
• Painting (acrylic, oil/pastel, watercolor)
• Pencil/Graphite
• Poetry
• Sculpture
• Traditional Photography
• Wood

Online applications must be submitted by Monday, October 28th, at midnight. Selected artists will be notified by noon on Thursday, October 31st.

The exhibit will open on Friday, November 8, 2024, and close on Friday, November 22, 2024. The artist reception and award announcements will take place on Thursday, November 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the Coastal Arts Center, located at 26389 Canal Road.

The contest is open to amateur and hobby artist veterans only; commercial artists are not eligible. All submissions must be original art completed within the past year, and artists are limited to one entry per category.

Each category will have an "Artist of Merit" award, with winners receiving a $200 prize. The "Best of Show" winner will be awarded a $500 prize. All selected exhibitors will receive one free ticket to the Frank Brown Songwriters Fest/America Sings concert on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11. Additional tickets can be purchased for $15.

The contest is presented by the Coastal Arts Center, Friends of the Arts, Inc., Tacky Jack's, and art center patrons Bruce and Mary Jane Munsell.

Apply online for the "Best of the Vets" art contest.