The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery’s annual juried art exhibition, The Best of the Best, is
accepting artist applications by advance appointments on Wednesdays–Sundays until 3:00 pm,
beginning on Wednesday, September 8 through Friday, October 1, 2021.

The application is open to amateur and professional artists with a $30 entry fee per work. A full prospectus with
guidelines and application form is available to download from the Museum’s website or it can be picked up starting September 8 at the Museum located at 500 North Indian River Drive in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce, Florida.

Artists may enter their work in The Best of the Best by submitting into one of four media
categories: Oil and Acrylic paintings; Watercolor (including gouache and tempera); Varied
Techniques (which includes mixed media, pastel, pencil, pen & ink, printmaking, graphics,
collage and computer-generated works); and Three-Dimensional. Accepted works of art will
contend for cash prizes and placement honors (1st-2nd-3rd awards) in each category, with an
overall Best of Show award. A full description of all categories along with presentation checklist
is available in the prospectus.

There are new entry procedures related to the ongoing public health situation. 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.

This year marks the 40th juried exhibition hosted by the Backus Museum. First presented as the
“Four County Juried Exhibition,” today The Best of the Best has extended its participation
over the years to artists throughout Florida and even beyond.

The Best of the Best annual juried exhibition will open the 2021-22 Season of the A.E. Backus
Museum & Gallery, and will debut with a season open house and free admission October 16-17,
continuing on view regular hours through November 12, 2021. The Museum is planning for an
opening reception on Friday, October 15, but this is subject to change due to ongoing concerns
about the pandemic and public safety. The Museum will announce accepted works and awards
on October 14 by 5:00 pm