3rd annual SELF contest legit?

[veltetra]

I recently responded to something in the Art Deadlines List: the 3rd annual SELF contest. I sent in the image of a painting that I did, which represents myself in some way. There was no entry fee and not much in the way of description on the website. But yesterday I received an email telling me that my entry was not yet finalized until I clicked on the link in the email. Considering that I filled out the form when I entered, and the fact that malicious content can sometimes come one's way by clicking on a malicious url, I just deleted the message. Has anyone else heard of this "SELF" contest? Do you know if it is legit? The url is:
http://www.artistswanted.org/self/?f=self12adl2

thanks,
Velvet

[Bringer]

Hi Velvet,

If you read the rules, you'll see that there are two optional entry fees: $25 and $50. See "How to enter."
Over a year ago I wrote an article about one of their contests (I'll PM it to you).
It seems legit, but it's up to you if it's worthy to enter or not.
Lets wait to see what others have to say.

Mind that usually art competitions have a participation fee. Only those sponsored by official institutions or private ones run by wealthy patrons may not have them.

José

[AllisonR]

Vanity. Repeat after me "vanity gallery."
Move on.

[Horsa]

I tried googling it. All I found were links to various announcements of the contest and how to enter.

I didn't see anyone complaining that they paid their money and there was no contest. I also didn't see any reports of previous winners.

From looking at the contest website it seems the $50 fee puts you in the running for winning what I recall was a pretty substantial load of cash. Of course chances of being that winner depend on how many other artists enter and how the judges like their art in comparison to yours

Spending your five bucks to play he super-mega-jackpot lotto puts you in the running to win a share of 5 quintillion dollars.

Bottom line, it seems legit to me, but fairly low prestige.