By Lindsay Dickson, Minnesota State Fair Foundation

This past August, artists around the state were invited to apply to create the 2012 official commemorative art of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The final piece will be the chosen artistʼs visual interpretation of this annual event and will be unveiled to coincide with the 2012 State Fair.

The 2012 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art will be the ninth in a series of annual artwork created exclusively for the Great Minnesota Get-Together. This is the second year the State Fair issued a call for submissions. Last year, Lino Lakes artist Steve Thomas was selected from nearly 80 applicants in the Minnesota State Fairʼs first-ever Commemorative Art Call for Submissions. In previous years, Minnesota artists were chosen by a staff committee and have included: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (2004), Mary GrandPré (2005), Nancy Carlson (2006), Michael Birawer (2007), Edie Abnet (2008), Leo Stans (2009) and Deborah Voyda Rogers (2010). A gallery of past artwork is available here.

A panel of judges met recently and reviewed the applications and selected five finalists. The five finalists will receive a stipend to create near-completed artwork representing their visual interpretation of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Then, a panel of judges will select one official artist from the five finalists to finish his/her artwork. The final piece will be unveiled at the State Fairgrounds in the spring of 2012. The official artist will receive a commission of $3,500. Once the artist is selected and the piece is complete, the commemorative poster, a limited number of signed giclee prints and other merchandise featuring the art will be available for purchase beginning in summer 2012. Proceeds will support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3) mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences. The original art will be on display in the Fine Arts Center during the 12-day run of the 2012 State Fair.

Stay tuned to hear about news of the finalists!