Railroad Invites Artists to Enter 40th Annual Art Print Contest

Submission deadline extended to Feb. 23, 2018

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) has extended the deadline to submit entries for its 40th annual commemorative artwork program to Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. The railroad will commission the selected artist to create artwork that will become the basis for the 2019 Alaska Railroad official commemorative print. Started in 1979, the program helps participating artists gain exposure with a well-regarded connection to a beloved icon of the 49th state.

Artist submissions must include an Alaska Railroad theme. ARRC retains all rights to the artwork. From the completed artwork, the Alaska Railroad produces up to 750 signed and numbered prints, several thousand posters and several thousand lapel pins. The railroad pays the artist $3,000 and provides 10 artist proofs and 20 posters. The artist agrees to participate in print/poster sale-and-signing events in Anchorage, Wasilla and in Fairbanks. Signing events may also occur in an additional community, depending on the subject of the artwork. The Alaska Railroad pays for the artist’s travel expenses.

A list and images of previous ARRC art prints are available on the railroad’s web site at: www.AlaskaRailroad.com > Corporate > In the Community. Artists should submit a sketch no larger than 11 x 17 inches. To provide some context, artists should also include several samples of their finished artwork. Mail or hand-deliver submissions to the attention of John Simmons, Passenger Depot Services Manager:

• Mailing address: Alaska Railroad, P.O. Box 107500, Anchorage, AK 99510-7500
• Hand Delivery: ARRC Headquarters, 327 W. Ship Creek Avenue in Anchorage
• Drop off between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Questions? Contact John Simmons at 907-265-2242, SimmonsJ@akrr.com, or Stephenie Wheeler at 907-265-2671, WheelerS@akrr.com

The railroad will notify the selected artist via telephone and by U.S. mail by mid-March 2018. The railroad will return submitted materials to artists who include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, or who pick up their submitted materials in person. Submissions not picked up or mailed by April 6, 2018, will be discarded.

Dates to Remember:

December 1, 2017 — the contest entry period began

February 23, 2018 — print contest submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m.

early March 2018 — Committee review complete; winning entry selected.

mid-March, 2018 — Artists are notified of contest results.

April 1, 2018 — Submissions must be retrieved (or mailed in self-addressed/stamped envelope).

April 6, 2018 — Submissions not retrieved will be discarded.

August 3, 2018 — Chosen artist must deliver completed artwork.

October / November 2018 — Art print and poster are released for sale to the public.

Last Quarter 2018 — Chosen artist participates in sale-and-signing events.