Association of Wisconsin Artists

1954-2024 Celebrating 70 Years!

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AWA/WRAP State Exhibit & Conference

Every year in August and September, State Award winning artwork from WRAP exhibits around the state is displayed at the AWA/WRAP State Art Exhibit. Also included in the Exhibit are the winners from WRAP-Teen, WRAP-Kids, and over 300 Tiny Treasures.

The annual AWA State Conference is in late September at the conclusion of the exhibit. “State Day” celebrates the art and artists of the annual exhibit with activities including an invited lecture, a presentation by the judge of the exhibit, and award ceremonies.

Monetary awards, presented by AWA, are for meritorious artwork in the Tiny Treasures, WRAP-Teen, and WRAP Exhibits. In addition, service awards and the John Steuart Curry medal, our most prestigious award for service to AWA and the arts are presented. It’s a great honor to receive these awards.

During the Conference, Tiny Treasures are available for sale with proceeds used to fund AWA operations. This sale is AWA's biggest fundraiser.

Exhibit year 2023-2024

In 2024 the State Conference is scheduled for September 28 at the Pyle Center in Madison. For information about State Conference activities and registration, go to https://wiscartists.wildapricot.org/State-Conference-2024

Information for Exhibitors

All State Award winners chosen in regional WRAPs during the 2023-2024 exhibit year (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) are invited to exhibit in the AWA/WRAP Annual State Exhibit. An artist may show only one work, even if multiple State Awards have been received. The art piece to be exhibited must have won a State Exhibit Award.

State Award winners will receive an invitation to participate along with detailed instructions in mid-June (or as soon as awards are announced for late June WRAPs). The invitation, instructions, and forms will be sent both by email and USPS (snail mail).

In order to participate in the exhibit, registration must be submitted by July 15. (This is separate from State Conference registration.) Participation in the exhibit is free for AWA members and $25 for non-members. You must be a current AWA member to be eligible for monetary awards presented at the State Conference. You can join AWA and pay the $20 annual membership fee when you register for the exhibit.

Artwork for the State Exhibit can be dropped off at the Pyle Center in Madison or the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau for transport to Madison. Two-dimensional art must be ready to hang with side-to-side wire. Sawtooth hangers cannot be accepted. Fiber works must include hanging devices (poles). Neither AWA, the Pyle Center, nor the Center for the Visual Arts is liable for transported artwork.

Important Dates

July 15 Exhibit entry form due

TBA Artwork drop-off at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau for transport to Madison

August 9-10, times TBA Artwork drop-off at the Pyle Center in Madison

TBA State Conference registration deadline

September 28 AWA State Conference in Madison

September 28 Artwork pick-up at the Pyle Center in Madison

No upcoming events

Information on Awards

State Day awards are made possible by contributions from individuals and organizations throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond, some of whom have sponsored awards for many years going back as early as the 1960’s. These awards were created to recognize the achievements of participating artists. Many are memorial awards honoring a family member or friend who shared a special love of the arts. Some are given for excellence in a specific medium or craft while others are open to all media. The sponsors have the option to select the recipient themselves (and some do), otherwise the judge of the show selects the award winner. Only current members of AWA are eligible to receive awards. For more information contact awards@wiscartists.org.

Thank you to all of our award sponsors whose generosity provides so much encouragement to WRAP artists and keeps our State Day vibrant and strong.

Click here to view the 2023 AWA award descriptions.