The Montana State University School of Art, part of the College of Arts and Architecture, will host the fourth annual World Championship Belt Buckle Competition.

Bryan Petersen, professor in the MSU School of Art and one of the event's organizers, said the contest attracts buckle entries from countries throughout the world.

"The fourth annual World Championship Belt Buckle Competition is a juried online exhibition inviting all one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, wearable examples in the belt buckle format including western, modern, fashion, narrative and conceptual," Petersen said. Up to 60 finalists will be selected for the online gallery and an exhibition of prints.

Nash Quinn of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, a 2014 finalist, will join MSU’s Petersen as a juror for this year’s competition. As part of the event, Quinn will exhibit his metalwork at the Exit Gallery from Sept. 19-Oct. 7, with an opening reception from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21.  Quinn will also give an artist lecture from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Cheever Hall, room 214.

The winning entry will receive a cash prize and a World Champion Title Belt Buckle, while second and third place winners will receive cash awards. This year’s title buckle will be made by Pat Pruitt of Paguate, New Mexico, the 2014 World Champion buckle maker, whose buckles generally are valued at around $6,000, according to Petersen.

For more information, or to register, see: http://www.worldchampionbuckle.com/prospectus. There will be a $30 non-refundable entry fee. The registration deadline is Sept. 16.

The virtual exhibit will open Friday, Oct. 14, at: http://worldchampionbuckle.com/.