2019 is the inaugural year of the Martha’s Vineyard Drawing Prize, a competition established to encourage the pursuit of excellence in drawing.

Artists are invited to respond to the theme The Ties That Bind.

Drawings may be created using graphite, charcoal, Conté, silverpoint, pen & ink, or other suitable drawing media, on paper or board.

There are three main prizes: 1st place $500, 2nd place $350, and 3rd place $150, as well as in-kind prizes and awards.

This year the competition is online-only, so there is no size restriction, and no need to frame and ship the artwork.

In addition to the prizes and awards, all finalists’ artwork will be displayed on the www.mvdrawingprize.com website for the following year.

The nationwide call is now underway, and will close Sunday, July 28th, 2019.

Winning entries will be announced Sunday, August 11th, 2019.

The competition is sponsored by Martha’s Vineyard artist Elizabeth R. Whelan.