Gallery 364 "Bay Ridge's First Fine Arts Gallery" is pleased to go forth with our Sept. Art Competition, entitled "THE ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT".

Gallery 364 "Bay Ridge's First Fine Arts Gallery" is pleased to go forth with our Sept. Art Competition, entitled "THE ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT".

An environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject's usual environment, such as in their home or workplace, and typically illuminates the subject's life and surroundings.

By photographing a person in their natural surroundings, it is thought that you will be able to better illuminate their character, and therefore portray the essence of their personality, rather than merely a likeness of their physical features. It is also thought that by photographing a person in their natural surroundings, the subject will be more at ease, and so be more conducive to expressing themselves, as opposed to in a studio, which can be a rather intimidating and artificial experience.

The surroundings or background is a key element in environmental portraiture, and is used to convey further information about the person being photographed.

While it is often true that the background may dominate the subject, this need not necessarily be so. In fact, the details that convey the message from the surroundings can often be quite small and still be significant. The key seems to be in the symbolism expressed by various elements in the background; for instance, a baseball cap may not tell you much about your subject (unless he or she is a baseball player), but a chef's hat gives you a lot more detail about who he is and what he does.

If you are interested in submitting work for this competition (all mediums accepted), for consideration please call Georgine for an appointment to show your work, or email jpegs for review. No URL's please. You will be notified by email or phone of acceptance. And we look forward to seeing you at our opening reception.

The entry fee is $25.00 per piece, for work accepted, with a limit of 4 pieces per artist. All art must be ready to hang.

This competition is open to all media. Criteria for judging is as follows: Beauty (symmetry,composition, proportions, framing) Skill, Meaning, Uniqueness, and Intent.

All art will be for sale. Gallery 364 retains 30% of all sales. Gallery 364 will award: ONE "Best In Show" winner will receive $150 Cash Prize. TWO "Honorable Mention" winners will each receive $50 Gift Certificate. (Winners will be announced at Opening Reception)

SPECIAL GUEST JUDGE: AWARD WINNING NEW YORK DAILY NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER, TODD MAISEL

This Show is Sponsored by Harbour Abstract Owner Rhea McCone.

Deadline for submissions: Tuesday, Sept. 12th, 2011

Artists Opening Reception: Thursday, Sept.15th, 2011 7-10PM

Show will be on view, thru Oct. 6th, Sept. 15th, 2001

Contact Georgine for more info: Gallery 364 364 72nd Street Brooklyn, NY 11209 917-767-3848 www.gallery364.com

DATE: July 28th, 2011 TIME: 7PM-10PM LOCATION: GALLERY 364