Composition Connecticut

Welcome to Barker Animation Art Gallery’s first High School Student Art Exhibition: Composition Connecticut!

Let us introduce ourselves. Barker Animation was created by Herbert and Gloria Barker who were dedicated to keeping America’s rich cartoon heritage alive. For 28 years, Barker Animation has been one of the most trusted and preferred sources for animation and pop culture artwork and collectibles. We represent over 200 world-renowned artists and animation studios, including Disney, Hanna-Barbera, Chuck Jones, etc. There are over 500 pieces in our physical galleries and over 16,000 offerings available on our website. In 2016, Herbert and Gloria opened another gallery at the Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT. Additionally, our Cheshire, CT location is home to the Barker Character, Comic, and Cartoon Museum which houses over 80,000 antique toys and collectibles.

So, enough about us. We want to hear about you! Although Barker Animation specializes in animation art, we appreciate and encourage all types of creativity. Composition CT is designed to recognize and support each high school student’s talent and individuality.

Over the course of 2022, Barker Animation will be selecting students' artworks to be displayed for two months each. Students must be a Junior or Senior in high school. Those who are chosen will be given the opportunity to showcase a curated selection of their works in a retail gallery alongside world-renowned artists! We provide nominees with the ability to highlight this accomplishment on resumes, college applications, etc. Barker Animation will not be selling these pieces, but rather providing students with a space to exhibit their works. Nominated artists are welcome and encouraged to bring their family and peers to our gallery in either Cheshire, CT or Mashantucket, CT to view, photograph, and celebrate their works on display. Additionally, each selected student will be featured on Barker Animation’s social media channels. 

The artwork itself must be the creative product of one student only. Help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed. Artwork can represent the following mediums: drawing and painting (i.e., pencil, charcoal, pastels, colored pencils, oil paints, acrylics, water media, mixed media/collage) and original digital creations.

Content must comply with all local and national laws of the United States. Content must not: (a) Promote illegal behavior; (b) Support racial, religious, sexual or other prejudice; (c) Advocate sexual or violent exploitation; (d) Violate rights established by law or agreements; (e) Invade the privacy of any person; and/or (f) Be otherwise inappropriate as determined by Barker Animation.

 Entries will be evaluated based on creative techniques, composition, and overall art appearance. 

* No purchases or fees are necessary to participate! *

1. Suggested artwork submission: 5-7 original artwork examples per student 
2. All artwork entries must be emailed to media@barkeranimation.com
3. Artwork should be submitted with an image of the student’s original artwork (max 800 pixels x 600 pixels)   
4. Each file must be under 2MB in size and be submitted in .jpg, .png, or .pdf format 
5. Each entry must include the Student Artwork Release Form and Artist’s Statement Form. This can also be filled-out online via Google Forms: Composition Connecticut Artist Submission Form.  (Image files must be submitted via email.)

Barker Animation will not manipulate the students’ artwork in any way. Additionally, Barker Animation will not provide insurance on student artist artwork. Our staff will treat student artwork with the utmost care, however accidents do happen. Chosen artists are responsible for providing display-ready artwork and delivering to/ picking-up from Barker Animation in either Cheshire, CT or Mashantucket, CT on the date(s) discussed in the pre-show interview. Any materials required to showcase their works (frame, hanging wires, etc.) are the students sole financial responsibility. Barker Animation has the right to cancel scheduled event if artwork is not delivered by the agreed-upon event date.)

Barker Animation will provide the following:

1. A set of grid-wall space (58” x 72” at Cheshire) & (88” W x 115” H at Mashantucket) 
2. Grid hangers
3. Description card per piece of artwork displayed
4. Displayed biography 8” x 10” (option to include artist image)
5. Minimum 8 week display time (subject to change based upon gallery needs)  

Submission Periods

Submission by July 15th, 2022 - display from August 1 - September 30

Submission by Sep 15th, 2022 - display from October 1 - Nov 30