The annual Bi-State is a juried exhibition by the Meridian Museum of Art. It offers over $3,000 in awards and prizes, including the $1,000 Best of Show Cash Award. The exhibition aims to showcase contemporary artists in Mississippi and Alabama and reward their efforts.
Eligibility: Open to all artists who are current or past residents of Mississippi or Alabama.
Media: Original works of art, such as paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography, ceramics, fibers, glass, or mixed media.
Entries and Fee: A maximum of three (3) entries per artist may be submitted. The nonrefundable entry fee of $30 covers the costs for all three entries. Works must be original and created between 2022 and the present. Student-assigned work will not be accepted. Works should be submitted as digital images through email to meridianmuseum@bellsouth.net. Mail cashier’s check or money order to PO Box 5773, Meridian, MS 39302, or use a credit/debit card through PayPal/Venmo below. Please do not send cash.
Entry Dates: Digital Images, ENTRY FORM, AND $30.00 FEE per artist must be received by May 24, 2025. The museum reserves the right to reproduce entries in catalogs and for news and promotional use. Sending an entry to this competition will constitute agreement with all the conditions in this prospectus.
Size Requirements: All 2-D work will not exceed 72 x 96 in. and should be wired ready to hang (unless special conditions exist). All 3-D work should not exceed 8 feet in any direction and weigh no more than 50 lbs.
Delivery & Pick Up: The last DAY TO RECEIVE accepted works is June 21, 2025. All shipped entries should be packaged in returnable containers, and a prepaid return shipment label should be enclosed. The museum is not responsible for returned shipments of works. Works will be returned in the same container within two months after the closing date. Other works can be picked up any time after the announcements and the closing date during regular museum hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sales:The museum will retain a 25% commission on all sales made during the exhibition.
Notification: The museum will email notification of acceptance/rejection on or about June 7, 2025. MMA is the final authority on eligibility and has the right, without liability restrictions, to reject any entry that is believed not to be creditable to the show.
Liability: The museum staff will exercise all possible care in handling entries. MMA will not assume responsibility for loss or damage to any artwork submitted to the show. The artist should insure all art before submitting it to the competition. The museum will not insure works in transit to or from the museum. Works left by the artist two months after closing will become the museum’s property.
Awards & Honors:The juror will have a minimum of $3,000.00 for cash and purchase awards. The Best of Show artist will be featured in an exhibition at the museum in 2025.
EXHIBITION DATES: July 1 – August 9, with the closing reception from 1 to 3 p.m. The Awards will be announced at 3. A special invitation is extended to artists and their friends and family.
Juror Amie Oliver is an accomplished artist and curator based in Richmond, Virginia. Her work spans painting, drawing, and works on paper, and has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions across the United States, Europe, China, South Korea, Tibet, and Australia.
Oliver’s creative endeavors are deeply influenced by her fascination with the passage of time and the effects of natural elements on the material world. She often employs water-based mediums, such as ink and watercolor, to explore these themes. Her “Heaven, Earth, and Sea” series, initiated during a project in Tibet in 2009, exemplifies her engagement with environmental patterns and their artistic manifestations.
In addition to her studio practice, Oliver has participated in various artist residencies, including the Virginia Center for Creative Arts and its international exchange partners, the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, the Metasenta Foundation, and the Vermont Studio Center. These experiences have enriched her perspective and practice, allowing her to connect with diverse artistic communities worldwide.
As an educator, Oliver has contributed her expertise to institutions such as the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, where she has taught a range of courses in painting, drawing, and mixed media. Her commitment to fostering artistic growth extends to her role as a curator, where she has organized exhibitions that highlight both regional and international artists.
Oliver’s work is held in numerous corporate and private collections, including Try-Me Gallery, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Delta State University, and the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Her dedication to her craft and her contributions to the art community make her a respected figure in contemporary art.