Skyway Juried Art Competition

The annual Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) Juried Art Festival provides an opportunity for student artists to display their work and acknowledge their expertise at the highest level. Jurors select the best works from the eight community colleges included in the ISCC. Students submit work to their art instructors, and the instructors select the pieces to represent their college in the competition.

• Eligibility

  Any student enrolled in one of the Skyway conference colleges is eligible to enter. Students who have received awards in the previous Skyway (2024) are not eligible. College Skyway Art Coordinators are responsible for keeping records and verifying eligibility. Ineligible submissions later identified as such will be disqualified. Students will submit work to their art instructors, who will select the pieces to represent their college in the competition (limit: 25 entries per college). Works must have been completed for class credit during the following semesters: Spring 2024, Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025. If the class assignment from which the student submission originates is to copy an artist’s work or create a piece influenced or based on the work of another artist, the appropriate citation must be provided. If the artwork is selected for the exhibition, the host college will include this information on signage identifying the artwork.

• Submissions

  Students may enter 1-3 pieces online and then drop the work off in the Art Office (A144) during the specified times. Complete the online entry form before dropping off the artwork. Entries do not have to be framed for judging, however, works on paper must be at least temporarily mounted to a rigid backing with a cover sheet to protect the surface. Wet paintings should remain in the studio. Selected works should not drastically increase dimensions if/when framed.

• Presentation

  All 2D work must be properly framed and wired for hanging—braided picture wire only. No sawtooth hangers. Stretched canvases must be wired but do not need to be framed if the sides are presentable. 2D and 3D works should not exceed 60” in any dimension. Artwork must be able to fit through a 5’ x 6’ doorway. The weight limit is 200 pounds. Submit animated work in an MP3 or MP4 format, 720 x 480 resolution.

• Awards

  All students whose work is accepted for the exhibition will receive a Certificate of Recognition. The jurors will select the following awards: Best of Show, four Awards of Excellence, and four Awards of Merit. The awards will be presented during the Skyway Juried Art Competition Reception at College of Lake County’s Robert T. Wright Community Gallery, located on the first floor of the library building, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The reception will be from 6-8 p.m., with the Awards Presentation at 7 p.m.

• Liability

  Every effort will be made to ensure proper care and handling of the artwork while present on the host college campus. Only works accepted for exhibition will be insured while on display. Instructors should assist students in determining reasonable values for their work. Works will be insured for a maximum recoverable amount of $200, but if no insurance value is listed, a limit of $50 will be covered. Special exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Damaged digital artwork will be re-printed at no charge to the student. College of Lake County and the Skyway Juried Art Competition will not assume responsibility for the loss or damage of works while in transit.

• Calendar

  Work not received during the specified times will not be accepted. Please make arrangements with your instructors if you cannot bring your entries at the specified times.

  • • Artwork to be delivered to the Art Office (A144) on:
      • Monday, December 2 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
      • Tuesday, December 3 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
      • Wednesday, December 4 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
      • Thursday, December 5 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
    • Monday, December 9 – A list of the 25 entries selected by the MCC Art Department faculty for submission to the 2025 Skyway Juried Art Competition will be emailed and posted outside studio classrooms.
    • December 9–12 – Pick up declined entries from the Art Office (A144) between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.
    • During the semester break – Selected artwork will be photographed and then viewed by the jurors at the host college in Spring 2025. A list of entries selected by the jurors for the exhibit will be posted outside the art classrooms by Monday, March 10, and students will be notified via email.
    • Friday, March 14 – Due date for selected works to be framed or otherwise “ready for hanging” and returned to the Art Office (A144).
    • Wednesday, April 2 – Skyway Reception and Awards Ceremony at the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery, College of Lake County—The reception will be from 6 - 8 p.m., with the Awards Presentation at 7 p.m.
    • April 21-24 – Pick up exhibited artwork from the Art Office (A144) between 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.

Contact Trevor Power, Art Gallery Curator, at (815) 455-8785 with questions.

View Past Skyway Competition Awards and Juried Entries »

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