CARBONDALE - An upcoming photography contest aims to put the work of more Southern Illinois artists in the public eye.

Heartlandarts.net, a for-profit partnership of local art affiliates and marketing specialists, plans to launch its 2009 campaign with the "Bleeding Hearts" photo competition. The contest will allow local photographers - both amateur and professional - to interpret the theme in their own photography, said Amy McMorrow of Innucopia, a marketing company and partner in the Heartlandarts.net Web site.

All entrants will be showcased on the Internet and in downtown Carbondale businesses, including the Art Lovers Trading Company, Longbranch Coffeeshop and Fusion, among others. Entrants will be judged in two categories - critical review and public opinion. A panel of three professional judges will pick a winner, and online voting will determine a "people's choice"-style winner.

Both winners will host a solo show of their artwork. The people's choice winner will be honored with a reception at Von Jakob winery, and the judging panel's choice will have his or her work on display for the month of April at Red Ear, an Alto Pass art gallery.

Sue Mills, owner of the Art Lovers gallery in Carbondale, said this contest, along with other events planned by Heartlandarts.net, aims to put local artists' works in front of new audiences.

"We have so many artists here in the area but nothing to bring them together," Mills said.

Entrants can find information about submitting works on www.heartlandarts.net or www.artloverstradingcompany.com. Photos will be displayed online and in local businesses beginning Feb. 13, and winners will be announced Feb. 20. Mills said there is no expectation on how many photographers will participate in the contest.

"It will be good whatever it is," she said. "Once I get the word out, the artists come out of the walls."

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

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