Artist competition announced

COEUR d'ALENE - Rose Robbins is calling all artists.

No matter who you are, or what you create, you're invited to participate in the Inland Northwest Artist Competition, hosted by The Gallery in Coeur d'Alene.

The contest is accepting submissions right now. Simply photograph the artwork, fill out an online form at www.thegallerycda.com and e-mail it to the specified address.

Entries will be accepted until midnight on April 26. There is an entry fee of $10.

"Whether it's made out of rusty nails, or pencil on paper, or silk, anything else... I don't care," said Robbins, owner of The Gallery at 100 W. Prairie Ave.

The winner and two runners-up will show their artwork at The Gallery throughout the month of May. They'll receive other prizes as well.

Finalists will be chosen the last week of April. Artists Rachel Dolezal, Jan Tervonen, Tom Norton, Robert McIlvenna, Todd Henry, Ron DeMuth and Robbins herself will judge the contest.

All artistic styles and mediums are fair game. The contest is open to any artist from anywhere in the Inland Northwest. It's an excellent opportunity for young artists or those who are just beginning their careers, Robbins said.

"Young artists have a much more difficult time getting their work into a gallery," she added.

Some submissions have already been received.

"We might lose some people by doing it via e-mail, but I think we might get a lot of people that we otherwise would not have," Robbins said.

2011 marks the first year of the Inland Northwest Artist Competition. Robbins said she would like to hold the contest every year.

Log on to www.the gallerycda.com for additional contest information and entry forms.