Details & Rules

The Elegance of Science contest is open to current faculty, students and staff of the University of Florida as well as the University's alumni.

Artwork is limited to two-dimensional images produced in the course of research or incorporating tools and concepts from science.

A maximum of 5 submissions per contestant.

Contestants must submit images in .jpg format with a resolution of approximately 800x600 pixels along with a paragraph (200 words max.) narrative about the piece. Finalists will be asked to submit a high-resolution image for printing purposes. Image files should be named with artist's last name and artwork title.

Artwork must be original and created by the contestant(s).

Verification of IRB approval must be provided for images that have been created from any university research involving human subjects.

Artwork should be submitted using the official Entry Form.

All entries must be received on or before March 28th, 2001.

The Elegance of Science Committee will convene soon thereafter, and will choose the winning entries. The first prize winner will be awarded 150 dollars. The second prize winner will be awared 100 dollars. The third place winner will be awarded 50 dollars. Some restrictions apply. The award of prize money will require that the recipient be eligible to receive payment from the university.

There will also be an Alumni prize awarded to the best entry submitted by an alumnus to the contest. This prize comes courtesy of a generous gift by the Alumni Association.

The committee will consider selection criteria that include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Artistic and/or scientific merit

  • Degree to which the entry puts a new perspective on either science or art

  • Success in translating between artistic and scientific vocabularies (for example, translating specific scientific results into visual experiences with artistic content)

  • Creativity of approach

The committee may decide not to award all possible prizes. All decisions of the committee are final. Decisions will be announced by shortly after the submission deadline.

The Marston Science Library anticipates holding an opening reception and prize ceremony in April, 12th where a selection of the entries, including the winning entries, will be shown. Winning artists are not required to attend though are encouraged to come to the ceremony to celebrate their artwork.

The copyright for any particular entry stays with the participant who submitted that entry. However, by submitting an entry, participants agree to allow Marston Science Library, University of Florida, acting on behalf of the State of Florida, to use and/or distribute the image(s) for nonprofit, educational purposes in print or via the Internet. This is a non-exclusive grant of permissions for on-line and off-line use for an indefinite term.

In addition, contestants may authorize the University of Florida Libraries to sell one printed copy of their image(s), the proceeds of which will benefit the Marston Science Library.