A painting feast for the eyes is coming to USTMAX Center and the Conroe community. The micro-campus for University of St. Thomas and the Conroe Art League (CAL) are partnering to hold their first art competition. The theme for all submitted paintings is “hope.”

Conroe Art League Vice President Debra Riley said, “Competitions bring out the best in the creative process, and it is exciting, after a difficult 2020, to see how the artists express this event’s theme of ‘hope.’”

An important component of the event is featuring the art to increase exposure for artists and awareness in the community.

Senior Director of USTMAX Center Carla E. Alsandor, Ph.D, said, “USTMAX will provide a natural ‘gallery’ with its white walls and attractive main hallway containing three areas illuminated by sconce lights. Perfect for displaying art and welcoming new visitors to our Center.”

Entry Submission Information

Members of the Conroe Art League are invited to participate in the contest. The submission deadline is midnight, Sept. 1, 2021. To become a member of CAL, go here.

All submissions must follow specific guidelines: 

• 1 1/2” gallery wrapped canvases painted black on all edges
• Dimensions are 24” wide x 36” tall
• An artist can submit up to three paintings
  • Send a photograph of each painting to ustmaxart@conroeartleague.com 
  • Each submission should be a separate email
  • When photographing the art, be sure to get a clear photo, which accurately represents the art with no framing or other items showing in the shot
• A brief artist statement must accompany each submission

A Reception for Celebrating

All Conroe Art League members, their families and friends, and the UST community will be invited to attend the reception on Thursday, Oct. 7, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The art will be available for purchase.

“This is the first of what we hope to be a bi-annual event,” Alsandor said. “Each competition will have a new theme and culminate with an opening reception where the winning art will be revealed and remain on display in the ‘USTMAX Gallery’ for approximately three months.”

Alsandor added, “The USTMAX Center is proud to serve the community by providing an array of educational and cultural opportunities, and we are pleased to partner with the Conroe Art League in this way. I am excited to see the submissions for our first Art Contest and Gallery Show, and I ‘hope’ many local artists participate.”

About the Conroe Art League

The Conroe Art League was founded in 1963 with a passion for art education and artist support. Today, the thriving group has more than 300 active members. CAL is a non-profit organization operated entirely by volunteers and funded in part by the City of Conroe, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Located in the historic Madeley Building at 127 Simonton, CAL has a beautiful art gallery and offers classes and workshops for all ages.