Call to Artists for Backus Museum’s annual juried photography competition Through the Eye of the Camera Celebrating 30 Years
The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery celebrates 30 years of presenting our annual juried photography exhibition, Through the Eye of the Camera. This year, the exhibition continues to provide amateur and professional artists a great opportunity to be a part of this enduring and coveted competitive survey. Entries in both traditional and digital photography will be accepted by advance appointment April 9 through May 2. There is a $30 entry fee for artists entering 1-3 works, $25 entry fee for artists entering 4 or more works. This year’s full prospectus with application, dates, guidelines, categories, awards, and entry procedures is available to download from the Museum’s website at www.BackusMuseum.org/juried-shows or pick up during regular hours at the Museum, 500 North Indian River Drive in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce, Florida.
Photographers may enter their work in one of four categories: (1) Animal subjects; (2) Flora & Landscape subjects; (3) People/Portrait subjects; or (4) Open, for subjects that are not included in the three other categories. In addition to Best of Show, Director’s Choice, People’s Choice, and 1st-2nd-3rd and Award of Merit in the category awards, there is a special “Best Black & White Photograph” and “Best Film / Traditional RAW Photograph” award. Details are available in the prospectus.
Artists are required to sign up online for an entry appointment in advance. Each 15-minute entry appointment will accommodate one artist entering up to three (3) works of art; artists wishing to enter more than three works may sign up for additional entry appointments. Artists can access the online appointment schedule with all entry information at www.BackusMuseum.org/juried-shows.
The juried exhibition Through the Eye of the Camera will be on view May 9 through the closing out of the regular season on June 20, 2025, with accepted artists and award winners announced online by Thursday evening, May 8. The opening reception is planned for Friday, May 9 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
Daydreaming: Niki Butcher’s Hand-Painted Photography features historical, beautiful, and sometimes quirky aspects of our world seen through the eyes of a thoughtful optimist, Niki Butcher. For decades, Butcher has focused her camera on the fading facades of old Florida, capturing funky “mom & pop” wayside businesses, lonesome sandy beaches, and the beauty of the Everglades. Remembering the gentle feeling of old Florida postcards, she hand paints her black and white photographs in vibrant tones and pastel hues that breathe life and imagination into these scenes, creating a picture of life far beyond what a camera could capture. Through her photography, Butcher captures places and people that stand out as beautiful, unique, endangered, and authentic, with a view that adds a bit more color, a good dose of humor, and an infusion of positivity.
ALL DATES AND PROGRAMMING SUBJECT TO CHANGE; PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR ANY UPDATES OR CANCELLATIONS.
About the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery
Since its founding in 1960 and the first day the doors opened in 1961, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery has been a center and catalyst for creativity and culture in our region. The Museum houses the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and also continues its more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here. In addition, the Museum organizes and hosts changing exhibitions from artists of regional, national and international acclaim. The Backus Museum was recognized as the 2022 Best of the Best Community Choice Award for Best Art Gallery; and the 2021 Best Tourist Attraction – 2018 Best Museum / Best of the Treasure Coast by the readers of Indian River Magazine.
Schedule: Regular Hours Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday, 12 Noon to 4 PM. The Museum is closed Easter Sunday. Admission is $5 per person; AARP, AAA, and Veterans with appropriate ID receive a $2 discount. Students with school ID, children under 18, active duty military, and current members are always free. Visitors are asked to follow the latest public health guidance for the safety and comfort of guests, staff, and volunteers.
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