Fabulous Forgeries: The Classics
Our classic exhibit Fabulous Forgeries is back for its annual appearance. Who, what and where inspires you? This year’s exhibit goes back to the classic artworks that have inspired many artists throughout time, whether they be from hundreds of years ago or those of modern artists of our era, there are no restrictions for this exhibit. ​

Submissions due: Thursday January 16, 2025, by midnight.

 Exhibition Dates:  February 7-March 2, 2025

1/16            Application deadline Thursday by Midnight.                    
1/24            Notifications of accepted art posted on this page.
2/4              Drop Off, Tuesday 11 am - 4:45 pm only.  
2/6              Open for Visitors, Thursday 10 am
2/7              Reception Friday 6-8 pm in the Brock Gallery
                     Award Presentation, 7 pm 
3/4              Pick Up, Tuesday 11 am - 4:45 pm only.

Judge:    Brian LaBarr
Brian’s teaching experience started in the public-school system of upstate New York where he taught Technology Education after receiving his first master’s degree from the State University of New York at Oswego in the 1990s. After five years of public-school teaching, he decided it was time for a change. So, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he spent his time doing boring paperwork as a Yeoman.
His art experience began after leaving the Navy when he enrolled in the Fine Arts program at Thomas Nelson Community College. After graduation he attended Virginia Wesleyan College where he focused on assemblage with found and salvaged materials. He received his second master’s degree, an MFA in Visual Studies from Norfolk State University in 2014. While in graduate school at Norfolk State University, he had the opportunity to take sculpture related courses at Old Dominion University.
His first teaching experience after graduate school was Life Drawing for the Art Institute of Virginia Beach where he was also the Gallery Coordinator. Since then, he has taught college courses in Drawing, Design, Sculpture, and Art History at the Art Institute of Virginia Beach, South University, Centura College, Miami International Online, and Norfolk State University. Most recently he can be found teaching 3-Dimensional Design for Tidewater Community College.
When he is not actively teaching, he enjoys organic gardening…and weeding. He also considers himself an amateur cigar box luthier where he utilizes some of the found and salvage materials he collects. Future solo shows are in the works for his assemblage and whimsical yet functional musical instruments, so please stay tuned.
Brian earned an MFA in Visual Studies from Norfolk State University, a BA in Fine Arts from Virginia Wesleyan College and other degrees from other prestige's colleges.



Awards: 

• 1st Place $250
• 2nd Place $200
• 3rd Place $100
• 6 Honorable Mentions 

Special Rules:    

• The interpretation of the theme is broad and open to the imagination of the artist. Read below for a few guidelines that will help you with your personal execution.
• Be sure to read ALL general rules at the bottom of this page.    

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Interpretation of Theme:
This year's exhibit revisits the classic approach to our iconic show. You are encouraged to approach this exhibit with the fullest measure of your imagination, and you have no limits. Here are a few suggestions and guidelines.

• Copy the artistic inspiration exactly.
• Copy the artistic interpretation but give it your own twist.
• Use the techniques of the artist and create your own artistic rendition.
• Use several artists as your inspiration.

As you can see, we are not limiting your creativity just inspiring you to create what you think best fits the theme. In the past the center had requested that on the front of the artwork there be text referencing the artist used, that is no longer needed since we use your reference photo on the label with the name of the artist.

Diverse types of art can be submitted to the exhibition. Broad interpretation of theme is encouraged and not limited to just representational art. Abstract, collages, photography, jewelry, sculptures, pottery and all other types of art are welcomed to submit, as long as they are tied into the theme of the exhibit.
​
If you are unsure of how to approach this theme, please reach art curator Jorge A. Saenz @[email protected].


Eligibility: 

• Open to Local/Regional Artists aged 18 or older (must be able to drop off work in person)  

Entry Fee: 

• $30 for up to three pieces ($25 for Annual Supporters and members of The Artists Gallery). Additional $5 for each additional entry for a max of 5 entries per artist. If you have not paid at the time the submissions are closed your artwork will not be considered for the exhibit. When submitting be patient and follow the prompts that will get you to the payment page. Once paid you will receive a ticket purchased email sent to the email address you provided.
• There is a jury process, and selected pieces will be accepted into the exhibition. Read and follow all instructions in the prospectus to ensure your artworks meet all the criteria's explained in this document.
• Entry fee is non-refundable.

To Submit: 

• Review the General Rules below to ensure that your art fulfills the requirements.
• Fill out the entry form on this page by midnight of the submission deadline. We do not accept late submissions.
• Prior to uploading your photos rename them on the device you are using (PC, Mac Book, iPhone or other phone brand) in the following format: lastname_firstname_titleofartwork.jpg here is an example, smith_john_bluesky.jpg once you have done this you can upload your file into the Choose File box under the submission form. You must ensure you are using a jpg format. We cannot convert your photos using a different format than jpg. Renaming the file on the form will not change the format of the photograph, this must be done prior to uploading.
• ​Please make sure you are following these instructions. If unsure of how to label a photo get with a friend or google instructions. 
• Make sure your photos are labeled correctly and that they are in a jpg format, and cropped around the edge of the painting without the frame as this distracts our jurors from seeing your work properly. Not doing will affect your submissions from being accepted into the jurying process.​
• For this exhibit you will need to submit a photograph of the artwork you used as the inspiration for your art. Under each image upload you will see another box labeled inspiration image; this is where you will upload the photo. Follow the same rules above for this image and do not forget to crop.
• Submit a short statement about each piece, to be displayed with the work.  Statement should be ​50 words, basically 2 lines in a standard Word document.  The exhibition team will edit statements for clarity, length or typos. Be sure to include which artist you used as your inspiration with name of the work and name of the artist.
•  Be sure to enter your website and social media handles so we can tag you in our posts!
• Pay entry fee using button on the confirmation page.
• If you do not get the confirmation page, your entry did not go through.
•  It is the artist's responsibility to check back on this page for notification of acceptance to the show.

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Drop Off and Pick Up of Art:

• Drop off is Tuesday, February 4, 11 am to 4:45 pm.
• No works will be accepted after dropping off Tuesday at 4:45 pm. If you cannot drop off on Tuesday, you must contact the art curator to make other arrangements. The center does not have an available storage area for incoming art but will work with an artist should certain circumstances prevent them from delivering on the specified date. Please email [email protected] if you have a question about the delivery and pick up dates. We will try to accommodate if you need to drop off the weekend before, but no art is accepted after the drop off date. (Decisions are made on individual basis, quantity and size of artwork.)
• Ensure artwork is labeled on the back and under 3D with your name and title of work.
• Art will be checked during drop off and ensure all requirements have been met. Art can still be refused for the show if there are issues with presentation, hanging wire, craftsmanship, etc. or if the artwork differs from the art juried in.
• Exhibition postcards/handouts will be available at drop off.
• Pick up is Tuesday, March 4, 11 am-4:45 pm.  

ATTENTION:  Read ALL GENERAL RULES at the bottom of this page, but be aware of these common oversights:

• Original works only that have never been exhibited in any of the center's art shows only.  No reproductions.  Digital works (photography, digital art, hand-pulled prints) must be in limited editions (25 or less), signed and numbered. Please include if AI was used to create the artwork. Should your photography/digital print sell you may not replace with another of the same artwork juried in. 
• Presentation must be professional and not detract from the artwork.  
• Gallery wrapped canvases that have a 1" edge or wider must be painted on the sides with either the painting wrapping around or with a complimentary color. No visible staples on the sides of the canvas. NO EXCEPTIONS!
•  Paintings that are on a 3/4" edge canvas or smaller MUST HAVE A FRAME. There are no exceptions for this requirement.
• Hanging wires must be tight across, and near the top 1/3 of the frame. Absolutely no SAWTOOTH HANGERS! Artwork is checked at drop off and you will be required to rectify if directions have not been followed.
• Artwork must be for sale and on view for entire exhibition.
• PLEASE READ ALL GENERAL RULES at very bottom.

​Commission:   

• 30% of sales retained by The Artists Gallery for Invitational Artists
• 25% of sales retained by The Artists Gallery for AG Artist​​
• VOLUNTEERS FOR RECEPTIONS:
•  We value the participation of volunteers at our first Friday events and invite you to sign up at: Volunteer (artcentervb.org)
  Click on the above link and choose Reception or if you wish to volunteer in another capacity, please click on what interest best suits you.​

Questions/Contacts:
Virginia Beach Art Center
532 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite A
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
[email protected]
www.artcentervb.org
​

GENERAL RULES

• This is a juried exhibition. 
• One to five pieces can be submitted.
• Current original works only, not previously exhibited at any other Virginia Beach Art Center monthly exhibition.
• Artworks must be created by the person submitting.
• No Reproductions. (Photography and Digital Art must be limited in edition to no more than 25 and signed and numbered.) Should your photography/digital print sell you may not replace with another of the same artwork juried in.
• All work must be visibly signed by the artist (2D on front or back, 3D on bottom) and include edition numbers (e.g., 1/25, 2/25) for hand-pulled prints, photography or digital art.
• Virginia Beach Art Center is a community gallery.  All artworks should be suitable for viewers of all ages.
• All works must be free of copyright infringement.  It is the individual artist's responsibility to ensure that they are adhering to copyright requirements.  The Virginia Beach Art Center and The Artists Gallery are not liable for any copyright infringement issues that may arise.
• Artworks, mats and frames must be in good and clean condition.
• Unframed canvas must have a professional finish that does not detract from the art.  No visible staples. 
• WIRE INSTRUCTIONS: All two-dimensional works must have a tight hanging wire, near the top 1/3 of the frame.  Wire must be attached to the frame and not the backing/canvas. No saw-tooth hangers.  -NO EXCEPTIONS-
• Works must be labeled on back with artist name and title of work. 
• Size and weight limitations:  Width of 2D works is limited to 60 inches in width (including frame) and 40 pounds or less.  The base of 3D works may not be more than 36" square.  Any 3D works over 40 lb. must be installed and moved by the artist. Size and weight restrictions may be waived by contacting the art curator directly prior to submission. If you have any questions about if your work qualifies, please email [email protected].
• Works requiring special installation must be cleared in advance by the art curator. Please email [email protected] before submitting art that has special requirements.
• All works must be priced for sale and remain at the gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition.
• Pricing should be consistent with the artist's other works. In other words, do not over price because you do not want to sell it. We check websites and social media platforms to confirm the pricing is comparable to other works you have for sale.
• Artist will be notified of a sale.​
• Sales checks are ready for pick up by the 5th of the month that follows the close of the exhibition.  
• While staff and volunteers take great care with the artworks, the Virginia Beach Art Center and The Artists Gallery are not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages to artworks before, during or after this exhibition.
• ​Submitting your images is an indication that you give the Virginia Beach Art Center permission to use images of your art for promotional purposes.