Alaska Railroad solicits art print ideas

Alaska Railroad Corp. is accepting submissions for its 2014 commemorative artwork program through Feb. 22, 2013.

Due to a high volume of submissions in 2010, two artists were selected — one to complete the 2012 print artwork and one to complete the 2013 print artwork. This may be the case again this year, depending on the level of response to the call for artwork.

In order to be considered, artwork must include an Alaska Railroad theme. For this year, the Alaska Railroad is particularly interested in artwork that features either the Hurricane Turn Flag Stop service or the railroad’s role in the community of Nenana. The flag stop service has long provided Alaskans with unique service into some of the most remote areas along the rail belt, and Nenana was the site where President Warren G. Harding drove the golden spike to celebrate the railroad’s completion in 1923, nearly 90 years ago. While not mandatory, submissions that feature Hurricane Turn or Nenana will receive additional consideration this year.

ARRC retains all rights to the artwork. Once selected, the Alaska Railroad will produce 750 signed and numbered prints, 4,000 posters and several thousand lapel pins. The artist will receive $3,000, and will be given 10 artist proofs and 20 posters. In return, the artist must agree to participate in sale-and-signing events in Anchorage and in Fairbanks.

Artists may request access to Alaska Railroad property for artistic research by contacting ARRC Corporate Communications Officer Stephenie Wheeler at (907) 265-2671. A listing of previous ARRC art prints is available on the railroad’s website at bit.ly/Qh6okY.

Artist submissions should be presented as a single thumbnail sketch no larger than 11 x 17 inches. To provide some context, the sketch may be accompanied by a few samples of the artist’s finished artwork. Submissions should be mailed or delivered in person to the Alaska Railroad’s Anchorage office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.