Hall of Fame Portrait Guidelines

Hall of Fame Portrait Guidelines. A. The Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History reserves the right to approve the quality of artwork in portraits for the Mississippi Hall of Fame. B. The Department director, the Museum Division director, and the Museum Division director of collections will invite the artist to visit the Old Capitol to view the portraits that presently hang in the Hall of Fame. The artist may be requested to present examples of portraits that he or she has painted. A copy of the artist’s portfolio is required for placement on file for reference and research purposes. C. The artist who is selected to paint the Hall of Fame portrait should confer with the Department director, the Museum Division director, and the Museum Division director of collections prior to beginning work on the portrait. The Department director, the Museum Division director, and the Museum Division director of collections will approve a preliminary sketch or concept as necessary. D. Only oil portraits on oil primed linen canvas will be accepted for inclusion in the Hall of Fame. E. The dimensions of the portrait and frame should not exceed 35" x 40". Although the portraits currently hanging in the Hall of Fame vary in size from approximately 27" x 31" to approximately 40" x 60", it has become necessary to restrict the size of future additions to the Hall of Fame due to limited wall space available for hanging. F. Additional specifications address the following: 1. Stretcher support—The painting should always be on a stretcher capable of being keyed out, not a rigid strainer. Paintings larger than three feet should have a cross bar for additional support. 2. Tacking and stapling—The canvas should be well tacked to the stretcher. If staples are used, the staples should be heavy duty and placed at frequent intervals, no greater than an inch apart. 3. Future conservation—There should be an inch of canvas extending past the edge of the stretcher. This will enable the painting to be tightened on the stretcher if it should be necessary. 4. Framing—Since future damage to the paint film can be caused by accidental blows to the reverse of the canvas, the painting should be backed with at least a piece of "foamcore" board. 5. Varnishing—After an appropriate drying period, the painting should be varnished. G. The artist will be responsible for selecting a frame for the portrait that will be compatible with the portrait and the frames for other portraits in the Hall of Fame. The artist should discuss the selection of the frame with the Department director, the Museum Division director, and the Museum Division director of collections. Brass plates identifying the subject are not permitted. H. Once the portrait is completed, it should be presented to the Department director, the Museum Division director, and the Museum Division director of collections for review and approval. After approval, the donor will be given a Deed of Gift form to transfer the portrait to the collection of the Museum of Mississippi History. I. The Department of Archives and History will be responsible for arranging a ceremony for the presentation of the portrait. This ceremony is customarily held in the House of Representatives, Old Capitol. In planning the ceremony, the Department will confer with the family of the individual whose portrait is being presented and/or the sponsors of the portrait. The Department of Archives and History is responsible for the production and costs for printed program, invitations, and mailings. J. The family or other private sponsors may wish to host a reception following the presentation ceremony. The cost of the reception is underwritten by the host and will vary depending on the number of guests expected and the elaborateness of the event. The host must comply with the Old Capitol Museum’s facility use policies. K. The Department of Archives and History will be responsible for selecting the site where the portrait will hang in the Old Capitol and reserves the right to change the location of portraits in the future if space and exhibit needs warrant such changes.