PAN is a visual arts and poetry competition and sale. Artists are invited to enter their 2- or 3-dimensional artwork, accompanied by a poem. The poem should be either the inspiration for the art, or inspired by the art. The poem can be an original by the artist, by someone else, or a previously published poem. Only original poems by the artist or commissioned by the artist for the show will be judged and eligible for prizes.
The Village Fine Arts Association takes pride in presenting the 32nd annual Poetry Art Night (PAN) competition and exhibit to be held at the Suzanne Haskew Arts Center (the SHAC), home of the VFAA. The VFAA has been greater Milford’s premier independent art organization since 1992, holding art shows, monthly meetings with informational speakers, workshops and classes open to all skill levels, and numerous events and projects within the community.
All entered artwork must be inspired by or related to a poem, and must be accompanied by that poem. Entered work is reviewed with poetry selection. Entered poetry may be written by the artist or commissioned poet, or can be previously published. Previously published poetry is not eligible for the poetry competition. Only poems written for PAN entries are eligible for poetry awards. Poetry must not be over 20 lines. Poetry without artwork, or artwork without poetry is ineligible.
See all important dates to the left.
2024 Judges
Art Judge - Jen Fitzpatrick
Jen Fitzpatrick is an Assistant Professor at the College for Creative Studies in the Foundations Department. She has taught for 28 years, including course work at Oakland Community College, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, and Farmington Cultural Arts.
Jen received her BFA from the University of Michigan, MA from Wayne State University, and MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Jen’s practice is rooted in color and material language, with a focus on absurdity and nonsense. Her work is rooted in painting and craft. Jen has exhibited her work in galleries around Detroit and across the Midwest.
Poetry Judge - Dawn McDuffie
Dawn McDuffie grew up in Milford and moved to Detroit in 1968 to teach English at Central High School. Since then the city of Detroit has been an ongoing inspiration. Her poems have appeared in Rattle, The MacGuffin, Third Wednesday, and Feminist Studies, and in the anthologies, Mona Poetica edited by Diane DeCillis and Mary Jo Firth Gillett, and Good Poems– American Places edited by Garrison Keillor. Her chapbook, Carmina Detroit, was published in 2006 by Adastra Press. Finishing Line Press published Bulky Pick Up Day in 2011, and a second Adastra chapbook, Flag Day in Detroit, was published in 2012. Since 2000 she has taught creative writing in Detroit. Her new chapbook, Happenstance and Miracles, looks at more mysterious, invisible aspects of life, and explores Detroit neighborhoods and public places not often celebrated for their beauty.
Awards
Fine Art: Award of Excellence - $300; Award of Choice - $150; Award of Merit - $75; People's Choice - $50; Several Honorable Mention awards.
Poetry: Poetry Award of Excellence I - $50; Poetry Award of Excellence II - $50; People's Choice - $30; Several Honorable Mention awards.
Entry Fees
VFAA members in good standing: $35 for up to three pieces. Non-members: $45 for up to three pieces.
Entry Procedure
Please read carefully, as our entry procedure has changed. PAN entries are now accepted only at ArtCall.org.
Registration: If you are not already registered, you must register with ArtCall.org before entering. See a video tutorial at the bottom of this page for help with registering and entering if needed.
Payment: You must pay the entry fee via credit card after registering. If you prefer to pay with cash or check, please let us know before you start the entry process and we will give you a coupon code to use. If payment is not received within a week after the entry deadline, your entries will be deleted.
Entry:
1. Once you are registered, click “Add New Submission”, and begin your first entry. Fill out all fields with your artwork information, read and check “Terms and Conditions” then click “Submit Entry Details”.
2. Upload a jpg or png file of your artwork.
3. IMPORTANT: when the pop-up box appears after you have uploaded your photo, click “Add Additional Image” and upload your poetry doc here. If you have closed out the dialogue box already, you may scroll down to your submission and click “+Attachment” to upload your poetry doc, txt or pdf file.
4. Repeat this process for your second and third entries. Once all files are submitted, you are done, you may log out. However, you may log back in at any time before the deadline to change your entries.
5. Feel free to share your entries on your Facebook page.
6. You may also print custom labels under “My entered submissions” . Find the button to the left of your entry.
7. You do not have to upload a profile photo, but if you do, it will show up on our online PAN gallery with your work.
If you have any trouble entering, you may call us at 248-797-3060 or stop in for help.
If your work is juried in, please go to our online gallery and vote for your favorite pieces for the People's Choice award. And encourage your friends to vote as well. Or you may vote in person at the SHAC between May 4 and June 19. One vote per person please.
Note: Submission of work to the jury constitutes compliance with all the conditions stated in this prospectus. Please read our terms and conditions (link at the bottom of the page.)
