Eligibility

The Cedarhurst Biennial is open to all artist, working in fine art of craft, over the age of eighteen, living in Illinois south of Interstate 80, and the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, MO; Evansville, IN; and Paducah, KY.

Submissions

For the jury process, we accept high-quality, digital images of works of art or craft in painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), drawing, sculpture, printmaking, video, photography – digital or film, pastel, textiles, ceramics, glass, metal, and wood. No installations. All works of art must be original and completed within the last two years (2023 to present). Works previously exhibited in any Cedarhurst exhibit are not eligible. Upon being accepted, two-dimensional works must be framed and ready to hang with wire. Any art work size may not exceed five feet in any direction. Three-dimensional works may not exceed five feet in any direction and must not weigh more than 100 pounds. For questions regarding submissions, call or e-mail, Rusty Freeman, Director of Visual Arts, 618-242-1236 x231, rusty@cedarhurst.org.

2025 Juror- Michael Aldag

Michael Aldag is a practicing fine artist born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Aldag explores a variety of artistic media. His subject matter is the world of the overlooked. Abandoned historical buildings, churches, religious symbols, and classical statues are favorites. Aldag listens to a prophetic voice that speaks from these ruins and rural habitats which is then translated into his art. Aldag earned his BFA from the Columbus College of Art & Design. He has been an active member of the Illinois Art League since 2009. Aldag exhibited in 2022 at Cedarhurst in a two-artist exhibition. Aldag recently co-juried Cedarhurst’s Inaugural High School Art Competition. His paintings and photographs are in the collections of numerous individuals, the Jefferson County Health Department, and the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art at Southeastern Illinois College Harrisburg. Aldag was recently named to the 2023 Marquis Who’s Who in America Biographical Registry.