Are you a local artist? It’s time to submit entries!

The five finalists attended a finale event and exhibit at Park West Gallery. Left to right: Weatherly Stroh, Pat McManus, Victory Pytko, Park West Gallery’s Morris Shapiro, Henry Heading and Kim Fujiwara.

Calling local Michigan visual artists – it’s time to submit your work for the third Mi Great Artist competition.

The online contest is an initiative by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, and Park West Gallery is again pleased to partner with the county for the program. Entry is open to all artists 18 years and older who live, work or attend school in one of Michigan’s seven Economic Growth Alliance counties: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Shiawassee or St. Clair. This year’s contest is expanded to include 3-D art as well.

Here’s a look at the last year’s Mi Great Artist winners’ event held at Park West Gallery.

Entries are accepted from now until Oct. 3.

Artists submit up to five images of their work with descriptions. The images are displayed online for public voting, and from the top 20 artists, a five-member jury of art professionals will select five finalists. The winner of the contest is determined by a combination of the jury score and public vote.​ The contest site has all the details.

The total package for winners is valued at more than $16,000 in cash and prizes. Including:

• $3,000 in cash prizes
• Custom framing of 5 artworks
• Exhibition in several venues in southeast Michigan
• Entrepreneurial training through Oakland County’s One Stop Shop Business Center
• Artwork featured on a poster to promote one of Oakland County’s signature quality of life events

Last year’s winner Henry Heading and runner-up Kim Fujiwara will exhibit a collection of their work next month at Park West Gallery. Stay tuned.

Oakland County Executive L. Brook Patterson presents last year’s winner Henry Heading with a check. Contest winners and runners up have the opportunity for a multitude of prizes including expert framing, exhibitions of their artwork and small business classes.