Hosted by The MTS Gulf Coast Section, Plastic Free Gulf Coast, and INFINITY in association with the OCEANS 2023 MTS/IEEE Conference.

NOTICE: Bring all entries to the Mississippi Coast Convention Center on Monday, Sept 25 from noon to 5:00pm.

Turn local trash into works of art! At the same time, raise awareness of the problem of trash in our waters, on our beaches, and in all waterways.

Applications

All applicants must submit an email application to be allowed into the Convention Center during the OCEANS 2023 Conference. An email will serve as your application. Applicants must submit an email to business@visitinfinity.com with the Subject “ART”, identifying:

  • Name of Artist or Group
    • Note – if Artist/Group is under 18, the name of an adult must also be provided
  • Age of Artist (only for individual entries)
  • Whether the Artist is Professional or Amateur (only for individual entries)
  • Description of artwork, including dimensions (height and width) and weight, whether free-standing or on an easel (must be provided by artist), or other requirements for display
  • Title of artwork
  • List of materials used in the artwork
  • An email and phone for contact purposes
  • Each email will receive a response indicating their application has been received.

Deadline for Application: Groups or individuals not submitting an application by Monday September 25 will not be allowed to participate in this contest.

Submit Application

Process

Entries will be given a table and/or space at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center. Your location will be identified by your name or group name. Entries must be set up at the Convention Center on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 9 am to noon. Each attendee of the conference will be given a ticket to vote for their favorite art piece. Tickets will be placed in boxes located on the table or near your art piece. At the end of the day on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, tickets will be collected, and winners announced in five categories:

  • Groups
  • Professionals – Under 19 years of age
  • Amateurs – Under 19 years of age
  • Professional – 19+
  • Amateurs – 19+

The announcement of winners in these categories will be announced at the OCEANS 2023 Gala, Wednesday, September 27 at the Beau Rivage. All artists will be given a pass to attend the announcement at no cost. All entries must be removed from the Convention Center by the artist or group no later than 6:00 pm, September 28, 2023. Items not removed by this deadline will be discarded.

Categories:

  • Group Entries (all ages)
  • Professionals under 19
  • Amateurs under 19
  • Professional 19+
  • Amateurs 19+

Judging Criteria:

  • Creativity.
  • Orderly process (plan, execute and report).
  • Understanding of the problem and the results.
  • Community impact.
  • Appropriate project for age group.

The winner with the most votes out of all five categories will receive $4,000. The top winners in the other four categories will receive $500. For example, if the top vote-getter comes from professionals 19+, then that category will not have a $500 winner as they received the $4,000. The other four categories will have a first-place winner that will receive $500 and all five categories will have a second-place winner in which the individual will receive $250.

  • Most votes from all five categories to receive $4,000.
  • First-place winners in the other four categories to receive $500.
  • Second-place winners in all five categories to receive $250.

  • All applicants must submit an email application to be allowed into the Convention Center during the OCEANS 2023 Gulf Coast Conference.
  • All entries must be comprised of materials collected from a waterway. Previously collected trash from waterways is acceptable. The use of unsavory items (such as needles, condoms, or other potentially dangerous materials) is strictly prohibited. Any art piece not in compliance with this rule will be removed from the Convention Center.
  • All materials used for the art pieces must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Any art piece not in compliance with this rule will be removed from the Convention Center.
  • All art pieces must be stable and secure so as not to tip over or cause injury. Artists or artist representatives will be required to sign a liability release as they deliver their art pieces to the conference. The Contest Committee has the right to reject any entry that is deemed unsafe or could cause harm/injury.
  • Artists must be able to load, unload, move, and display art pieces without assistance from the convention center. Tables will be provided but the artist must provide any needed carts for moving easels or display elements.
  • All entries must be removed from the Convention Center by the artist or group no later than 6:00 pm, September 28, 2023. Items not removed by this deadline will be discarded.

  • All entries, by their participation, agree to allow the Marine Technology Society and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society to use photos of the art piece in any medium summarizing the OCEANS 2023 Gulf Coast Conference.
  • Artists do not need to stay with their art pieces during the conference. Although no security will be provided, the convention center will be locked during conference off-hours.
  • Participation in the Beach Trash Art Contest does not come with entry to any other part of the OCEANS 2023 Gulf Coast Conference. Any applicant wishing to attend other parts of the conference must register and pay the applicable fees.

Supporting Patron