The selection of artists for exhibitions will be done by committee, comprising at least one representative from staff and at least three anonymous professional artists. At the discretion of the committee, exhibitions may include the work of more than one artist per show. The recommendation of specialists may be solicited to supplement the expertise of the committee.

Application Information

Heartland Artist Competition 

The  Annual Heartland Artist Exhibition is a national show drawing artists from all over the United States.  Artist may submit three digital images in .jpeg format to be juried.  The entry fee is $45, non-refundable payable to the City of Merriam.

AWARDS 
Best in Show: $1,500
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
Awards of Merit (3): $100
Irene B. French Memorial Award
Tim Murphy Memorial Award
Susan Hayden Award of Distinction

How to Enter

Heartland Artist Workshop

Painting in Oils with Jean Cook

February 22–23 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

$150 for 12 hours of professional instruction

More Information

The Annual High School Visual Arts Competition was created to show case the talent of high school students currently attending high school or home schooled in the Kansas City Area. Area high school artists may submit three pieces of artwork for consideration. The categories are 2D, 3D, Photography and Digital Illustration/Painting. Prizes are given to the top three pieces in each category.

Entry Information

Artist must submit images of their artwork in JPEG format. Images must be smaller than 1MB or they will not be accepted. Selection will be made from images. Submit only one image per piece. Students may enter more than one category but they are limited to three total entries.  

2023 Accepted Works (PDF, 14MB)

2023 Winners(PDF, 648KB)

Highschool Visual Art Competition 

This show features works from students in the surrounding High School's. 

The City of Merriam would like to thank all students who entered the 27th Annual High School Visual Arts    Competition and their art instructors for their guidance and support.

Five hundred ninety two pieces were submitted for the exhibit representing 26 area high schools. The Judge selected 82 artists, showcasing 102 works of art representing 21 schools.

Highschool Visual Arts Competition (PDF, 14MB)

(PDF, 14MB)

Tim was born October 6, 1954 in Benning, Georgia, son of Col. (Ret.) James K. and Ellen S. Murphy.  He graduated from Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, KS in 1972, Pittsburg State University in 1978, then completed a Master's Degree at Pittsburg State in 1982. He spent nearly his entire working career as a parks and recreation professional and joined Merriam Parks and Recreation in 1997.

Tim was an extremely dedicated employee with an unquenchable passion for his job.

One of Tim's major accomplishments was the development of this gallery. During his 15 years with the City of Merriam, Tim organized 188 art exhibitions, including monthly art shows, the Heartland national juried shows, and High School Visual Art Competitions.

The City of Merriam Parks and Recreation Department named this gallery in his memory on March 3, 2012.