1. THE FOUND PAINTING
Artists must source their own existing artwork.
Acceptable starting pieces may include:
- Thrift-store paintings
- Flea-market or garage-sale artwork
- Discarded decorative paintings
- Vintage amateur artwork
- Previously created paintings
- Unwanted landscapes, portraits, florals, still lifes, or similar works
The starting work should be an actual physical piece of artwork rather than a new blank canvas.
Prints may be considered with prior approval from Notta Gallery, but preference will be given to original painted surfaces.
Artists may not intentionally destroy or alter artwork of known historical, cultural, or significant monetary value.
2. SIZE
Finished artwork should generally fall between:
Minimum: 16" on the longest side
Maximum: 48" on the longest side
Unusual formats, dimensional additions, or larger pieces must be approved by Notta Gallery in advance.
The finished piece must remain reasonably portable and suitable for display inside the sponsoring business.
3. BEFORE ART CRAWL
Artists may prepare the work before the competition, including:
- Cleaning the original piece
- Repairing or reinforcing the surface
- Light sketching or planning
- Applying limited background preparation
- Preparing collage materials, stencils, reference images, or other components
However, the major visual transformation must happen live at Art Crawl.
As a general guideline, the piece should arrive no more than approximately 25% complete.
Notta Gallery may ask artists to submit a photo of the original artwork before any transformation begins.
4. MAKE IT NOTTA SWAN
The finished artwork must maintain a recognizable relationship to a swan.
The swan may be:
- Literal
- Abstract
- Surreal
- Mechanical
- Humanized
- Monstrous
- Comedic
- Symbolic
- Hidden within the composition
- Reimagined in another visual language entirely
There is no required style.
The strongest entries will combine the original found painting, the artist's personal style, and the Notta Swan concept into one cohesive work.
Simply painting a conventional swan over the existing artwork may not satisfy the spirit of the competition.
5. LIVE COMPETITION
All selected artists must participate in person at Art Crawl on November 8, 2026.
Artists will receive a designated working area.
Artists should bring their own:
- Paint
- Brushes
- Mediums
- Palette
- Tools
- Reference materials
- Easel or specialized equipment if requested by Notta
- Any unusual materials needed for the transformation
Notta Gallery will coordinate basic event setup and competition logistics.
Exact check-in, start, stop, and judging times will be provided before the event.
All artists must stop working when the official competition period ends.
6. MATERIALS
Most traditional and mixed-media materials are welcome.
Artists may use:
- Acrylic
- Oil
- Water-based media
- Paint markers
- Ink
- Collage
- Pastel
- Charcoal
- Gold leaf
- Found objects
- Dimensional elements
- Other mixed media
Materials that create excessive fumes, flames, hazardous conditions, uncontrolled debris, or damage to the event space are prohibited.
Spray paint, solvents, power tools, resin, or similar materials require advance approval.
7. ORIGINALITY
The transformation must be the artist's own original work.
Reference imagery may be used.
Direct copying of another artist's artwork, copyrighted illustration, character, photograph, or design without permission is prohibited.
8. ARTIST STIPEND
Each selected artist will receive a $100 artist stipend for participation.
The stipend is intended to help cover the cost of sourcing the found painting and purchasing materials.
Artists must participate in the live event and complete the requirements of the competition to receive the full stipend.
9. SPONSORS
Each participating artist will be paired with a local sponsor.
Sponsors are supporting the competition and the participating artists but do not control the artistic direction of the piece.
Artists are encouraged to meet and engage with their sponsor, but the final artwork should remain an authentic expression of the artist and the Notta Swan challenge.
10. JUDGING + PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Completed works will be eligible for competition awards.
Judging criteria may include:
- Creativity
- Transformation of the original painting
- Connection to the Notta Swan concept
- Composition and craftsmanship
- Originality
- Overall visual impact
A People's Choice Award will also be determined by audience voting.
Judges' decisions are final.
11. NOTTA GALLERY EXHIBITION
Following Art Crawl, all completed Notta Swan works will be featured together in a short exhibition at Notta Gallery.
Artists agree to leave their finished work with Notta Gallery through the conclusion of the exhibition.
Exact exhibition dates will be provided to participating artists.
12. SPONSOR DISPLAY
After the Notta Gallery exhibition, each finished piece will be displayed temporarily at the artist's paired sponsor location.
The display period and pickup arrangements will be coordinated by Notta Gallery.
Artwork remains the property of the artist unless it is sold or another written arrangement has been made.
13. SALES
The artwork when finished belongs to the sponsors.
14. DISPLAY READINESS
Artwork must be safe and reasonably suitable for public exhibition.
Artists are responsible for making sure dimensional elements are securely attached.
Notta Gallery may require hanging hardware or another safe display solution before exhibition.
15. PHOTOGRAPHY + PROMOTION
By participating, artists allow Notta Gallery and Art Crawl organizers to photograph and film:
- The artist
- The competition
- The artwork in progress
- The completed artwork
Images and video may be used to promote the competition, artists, sponsors, Art Crawl, and future Notta Gallery programming.
Artists will be credited whenever practical.
16. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Artists are expected to interact respectfully with fellow artists, sponsors, organizers, volunteers, and the public.
Notta Gallery reserves the right to remove an artist from the competition for unsafe, destructive, abusive, or seriously disruptive behavior.
17. CONTENT
Creative freedom is encouraged.
Work may be provocative, strange, dark, political, humorous, or challenging.
However, artwork containing explicit sexual imagery, targeted hate, unlawful content, or imagery inappropriate for a broad public festival environment may be declined.
When in doubt, artists should contact Notta Gallery before the event.
