Masterpiece in a Day

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19
Where: 1043 Virginia Ave. (in front of Murphy Art Center)

Info: (317) 450-6630; www.bigcar.org

Cost: Free for participants and visitors

The long-running free art and writing contest Masterpiece in a Day, supported by Southeast Neighborhood Development and operated by Big Car, returns to Fountain Square on Sept. 19. This year, the contest is again part of a big day in the neighborhood that includes the Fountain Square Art Fair presented by the Fountain Square Merchants Association.

The art and writing contests begin at 9 a.m. with day-of registration ending at 11 a.m. Completed artwork and typed copies of writing are due for judging at 3:30 p.m.

Winners from both contests will be announced at about 4:30 p.m. All work must be completed in the Fountain Square neighborhood during contest hours.

The art contest features two categories this year.

2D (all work that is predominantly two-dimensional including paintings, photos, collages, drawings; work on paper, canvas, board etc.).

3D+ (all work that isn't 2D - examples include 3D pieces, sculpture, video, installation, site-specific work, performance, conceptual art)

The overall Best in Show winner of the art contest wins $1,200.
Two category winners pick up $600 each.
And runners up in each category get $300 each.
The overall winner can't also be a category winner.

Total art prize money: $3,000

The writing contest presented by Second Story features a single combined contest this year for prose writers and poets. The overall winner receives $600, with the second-place writer taking $300 and third place picking up $100.

Total writing prize money: $1,000