The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is accepting proposals to help in the creation of a museum mascot based on the horse found in William R. Leigh’s painting called “Tidbits.”
The art can be a painting or a graphic image, which should include the whole horse, in the likeness of the horse named Tidbits.
(Courtesy of The James Museum)
Entry size should not exceed 18 inches by 18 inches. Acrylic, oil, pastel and oil pastel on paper or board will be accepted. Vector or raster graphic images also will be accepted.
The submission may be a 3/4 look (as in the painting shown); straight-on, as Tidbits looks at the audience; or, a profile that includes a side view with all four legs.
Tidbits should be realistic, life-like and fun. When visitors see the painting in the gallery, they should recognize Tidbits as the museum mascot.
Tidbits has distinct features: four white socks, a white nose, a painted tail, warm eyes with a tint of blue, and an underbelly that is white with brown spots like an Appaloosa.
Tidbits does not talk, and probably needs a blanket and a halter.
The horse’s image will be used in advertising for educational programs, on a sticker, as a soft plush puppet, a stuffed animal and, eventually, will be put in motion on the museum website.
Artists and students from the Tampa Bay area can submit a proposal by mailing or dropping off entries with a $10 entry fee to Marsha Quinn, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The entry fee must be in the form of a check made payable to the James Museum.
The deadline for entries is Aug. 30.
The winner will be announced Sept. 15 and will receive $500.
For questions, contact Marsha Quinn at or (727) 892-4200, ext. 1016.
For more information, visit TampaArts.org.
Published July 4, 2018
