VISUAL ARTS
• CALL FOR ARTISTS: The University of Alaska Anchorage Student Union Gallery is calling for entries to the 27th annual No Big Heads, a national juried self-portrait competition open to all artists. Works must have been completed in the last three years and must not have been exhibited in any previous Student Union Gallery exhibition. Works must be no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches in any direction, including framing and hanging materials. Limit of two entries per person. Weight limitation is 65 pounds. Awards include $1,000 for best of show and a summer 2013 solo exhibit at the gallery, plus $1,000 in other cash prizes. Juror will be David Kassan, a realist portrait artist from Brooklyn, N.Y. The exhibit opens Oct. 23 and runs through Nov. 5. Go to uaatix.com, fill out the entry form and pay the entry fee. Mail artwork to the gallery or drop it off. Entries must be received no earlier than Oct. 15 and no later than Oct. 17.
• CALL FOR QUILTERS: Pratt Museum in Homer will host a themed quilt show, "History in the Making: Quilts, Quilters and Their Stories," Nov. 9-Dec. 30. Quilters are invited to create works that reflect their rich, shared local history or their own personal connection to this place. Each quilter will be asked to include a brief statement about their personal quilting history and the story of their piece. Quilts or wall hangings can be hand quilted, machine quilted or tied. All styles and techniques are welcome. Works must not exceed 72 inches in length or width. This is not a juried contest. Quilters must notify Pratt Museum curator Holly Cusack-McVeigh of their intent to participate no later than Sept. 1. Quilts need to be delivered for installation on Monday, Nov. 5, between 9 and 11 a.m. For more information, call 907-235-8635.
PERFORMING ARTS
• CALL FOR HIGH SCHOOL SINGERS: Alaska Sound Celebration, Anchorage's award-winning a cappella ensemble, has announced registration for the eighth annual Sing for Scholarship contest. Registration is open to area high school students -- soloists or small ensembles. Space is limited to the first 20 performers to reserve their spot. The top five contestants will perform in a show in October where they will each receive a cash prize. Register at alaskasoundcelebration. org. Auditions are set for 8-10 p.m. Sept. 11 at Wayland Baptist University. Call 566-3987 for more details.
• CALL FOR ACTORS: Anchorage Theatre of Youth seeks young actors for an upcoming production of "Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr.," directed by Steven Hunt. Auditions are set for 2-5 p.m. Sunday or 6-8:30 p.m. Monday at 610 W. Fireweed Lane. Would-be actors only need to come to one day of auditions. Prepare a short song to be performed without accompaniment and dress to move. All are encouraged to memorize a short monologue to recite (30-60 seconds). There is a $100 actor participation fee for all performers 18 and younger who are cast in the production. For more information, call 338-4901.
• CALL FOR YOUNG SINGERS: The Anchorage Concert Chorus is offering mentorship awards for young singers so they may enjoy the experience of singing with one of Alaska's premier large choral groups. This mentorship will pay for membership dues, music and the tutelage of the group's conductor and artistic director, Grant Cochran, for the 2012-2013 concert season. If you are a student 16 years of age or older but not over 25 years old, attending high school or college in Alaska and available to sing the regular concert season, Sept. 3-April 20, you may be eligible to receive a mentorship award. For full details and an application, contact Carolyn Morris, mentorship coordinator at morrisrc@gci.net or call 240-1730 or concertchorus@gci.net. Sign up by Saturday.
LITERARY ARTS
• CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: The Alaska State Council on the Arts is requesting nominations for the 2012-2014 Alaska State Writer Laureate. Eligibility is open to Alaska writers from all genres who, throughout their careers, have demonstrated literary excellence and mastery in style, form and genre; exemplary professionalism and exceptional talent in published works; service to Alaska communities and a commitment to the advancement of the literary arts in those communities; a history of providing public presentations or instruction; and a significant body of published work in Alaska. The next State Writer Laureate will be announced at the Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities, set for Oct. 18 at the Hotel Captain Cook. Nomination forms are available at www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca. Deadline to submit nominations is Friday. Call 269-6610 for details.
• CALL FOR WRITERS: Anchorage essayist and author Bill Sherwonit will teach a 12-week nature and travel writing class beginning Sept. 19 in the Sierra Club office downtown. Participants in this workshop-style class will explore and refine their own writing styles, with an emphasis on the personal essay form. The class will also read and discuss works by some of America's finest nature and travel writers, past and present. The cost is $240. To sign up for this Wednesday night class (7-9:30 p.m.), or for more information, contact Sherwonit at 245-0283 or akgriz@hotmail.com. Further information about the teacher is also available at www.billsherwonit.alaskawriters.com.
POTPOURRI
• CALL FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS: Denali National Park has called for applications from visual artists and writers for the 2013 Artist-in-Residence program. Established artists and writers use a historic roadside cabin as a base to explore the park and seek inspiration from it. Many works from previous artists-in-residence are displayed in the Denali and Eielson visitor centers. Artists reside in the East Fork cabin, Mile 43 on the park road, for a 10-day period between now and mid-September. In return, each artist donates a piece of artwork or written piece to the park's collection. They also offer a public presentation for visitors at the end of their residency. Applications are available online at nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm.
Do you have a creative opportunity to list in this column? Send details to play@adn.com.
