The Black Swamp Arts Festival has increased both the number of awards and the cash prizes for the
juried art show. For the first time this year, the festival will offer an award specifically for
three-dimensional work, which would include ceramics, wood working, glass, metals and sculpture.The festival
will award a total of $5,350 in prizes, up from $2,975 in previous years.Brenda Baker, who chairs the visual
arts committee, said that the committee felt with the Dorothy Uber Bryan Award for two-dimensional work,
"we had a slight unfair lean towards 2D art."The award, she said, helped attract more 2D work to
the show.The Bryan award was originally established in 2001 specifically to honor painters, and included a
purchase of a work of art. It was later expanded to include drawing and printmaking.That award has been
retired.Now there will be a $1,500 best of show prize and awards for the top 2D and 3D artists of $1,000
each.Baker said given the glass tradition in this area as well as "the strong metal and ceramic
presence we get in the festival we felt it was time to give an equal prize to the best in 3D."Also,
there will be a second award of $750, third award for $500 and three honorable mentions of $200.Baker said
when reviewing the prizes "we have noticed our artists are traveling from further and further away; and
two, the costs of the business in the current economic climate is especially challenging for artists who do
festivals."Award winners also gain automatic acceptance into the next year’s show without having to
apply.The festival has also increased its booth and entry fees, for the first time in many years. The booth
fee for artists in the juried show has increased to $275, up from $200. Baker said the price hike was
overdue, and represents "a fair price" given what other events charge.The prizes will be selected
by the jurors Kathy Buszkiewicz, Jim Bowling and Catherine Royer. They decided on who would be in the field
in May, and will return to tour the show and decide the prize winners on Saturday.
