Out of the Box
Submit your latest works, of all types, and show us your expertise. Are they explorations in a new direction, and totally unexpected creations. WOW us your audience with your newest art.

 Exhibition Dates:  January 5th - January 28th, 2024

12/21             Application deadline Thursday by Midnight.                
12 /28            Standards Committee Selections 
12/29             Notifications Posted (On this page by 10am.)
1/2                 Drop Off, Tuesday 11 am - 4 pm                              
1/4                 Open for Visitors, Thursday 10 am
1/5                 Reception Friday 6-8 pm
1/5                 Award Presentation, 7 pm 
1/28               Artists Talks, Sunday 2-3 pm
1/30               Pick Up, Tuesday 11 am - 4 pm (see note below)

Judge:  Jeff Warden
 A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where he earned a BFA in Communication Arts and Design for Illustration, a BFA in Art Education, and a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies for Painting and Ceramics.  He has taught art in Fairfax and Chesapeake and has been teaching Art and Photography at Cape Henry Collegiate since 1998. Jeff also runs after-school and summer Art camps.

Awards: 

• 1st Place $200
• 2nd Place $150
• 3rd Place $100
• ​4 Honorable Mentions $35 each

Special Rules:    

• This exhibit will be driven by innovative explorations, approaches and techniques the artist is discovering through process and application. Read carefully the interpretation of theme below. If unsure contact exhibitions@artcentervb.org. (We only respond to email messages.)
• Be sure to read ALL general rules at the bottom of this page.  ​  

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Interpretation of Theme:
What have you been working on that is new and innovative to your style and approach to your art. Have you discovered new techniques through art classes, self-taught how to master a medium, created gobsmack and compelling artworks that stop traffic. This exhibit is not for the faint of heart, we want to show art that is new, compelling, thought provoking, and that stirs the soul. If you have such piece or pieces this is the exhibit for you.

All types of art are encouraged. Broad interpretation of theme is encouraged and not limited to just representational art. Abstract, collages, photography, jewelry, and other types of art are welcomed to submit, as long as they are tied into the theme of the exhibit, and new and innovative, this exhibit is for you.
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If you are unsure of how to approach this theme, please reach out to us at exhibitions@artcentervb.org. Please do not call the gallery, use the email above to direct all your questions.


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)
• There is a jury process; not all pieces may be accepted.
• Entry fee is non-refundable.

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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. 
• You will need to upload a photo of each of your artworks in jpg format. File name of photo should be LastName_FirstName _Title of artwork.
• ​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 so could affect your submissions from being accepted into the jurying process.)
• Submit a short statement about each piece and why this is different than your other work, to be displayed with the art.  Statement should be 50 words (basically 2 lines in a standard Word document).  The Art Center staff reserves the right to edit statements for clarity, length or typos. Ensure you are labeling your art correctly, once you submit there are no changes made, your art will reflect the title and statement you submitted so now is the time to double check if you have correctly labeled your artwork.
•  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 on Friday December 29th, 2023, by 10am. Carefully read all emails sent to you pertaining to this exhibit. Check your spam folders for emails from us and double check your delivery, awards, and pickup dates. We do not send out individual emails but rather notify via a group email once the accepted art has been published on this page.

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Drop Off and Pick Up of Art:

• Drop off is Tuesday, January 2nd, 11 am to 4 pm.
• No works will be accepted after Tuesday at 4 pm. If you cannot drop off on Tuesday, please make arrangements with us for an EARLY drop off. (Early drop off means the weekend prior to the drop off date. We do not have storage for your art, so it is preferable that you drop off on the designated date.)
• 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 during hanging.  Art can still be refused for the show if there are issues with presentation, hanging wire, craftsmanship, etc.
• Exhibition postcards/handouts will be available at drop off.
• Pick up is Tuesday, January 30th, 11 am-4 pm. Please plan accordingly to remove your art by this date.

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

• Original works only.  No reproductions.  Digital works (photography, digital art, hand-pulled prints) must be in limited editions (15 or less), signed and numbered. Please include if AI was used to create the artwork. (See below)
• Presentation must be professional and not detract from the artwork.  
• Gallery wrapped canvases that are 1" 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. 
•  Paintings on 3/4" canvas or smaller MUST HAVE A FRAME.
• Hanging wires must be tight across, and near the top 1/3 of the frame. Absolutely no SAWTOOTH HANGERS!
• 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 Artists

Artist Talks:

• ​Artist Talks (optional):  Sunday, January 28th, from 2pm to 3pm.  Artists are invited to an informal "Artist Talk" to discuss their works with members of the public.  
• Art may be taken home after 3 pm on Sunday January 28th by those who participate in the Artist's Talk.
• Absolutely no pickup before 3 pm on the last day of the show.

Questions/Contacts:
Virginia Beach Art Center
532 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite A
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
exhibitions@artcentervb.org
www.artcentervb.org
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GENERAL RULES

• This is a juried exhibition. 
• One to three pieces can be submitted.
• Current original works only, not previously exhibited at any other Virginia Beach Art Center monthly exhibition. Double check your entries to make sure you have not entered an artwork previously. We keep records of past exhibits to check.
• Artworks must be created by the person submitting.
• No Reproductions. (Photography and Digital Art must be limited in edition to no more than 15 and signed and numbered.)
• All work must be visibly signed by the artist (2D on front or back, 3D on bottom) and include edition numbers (e.g., 1/1, 2/15) 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 artists name and title of work. 
• Size and weight limitations:  Width of 2D works is limited to 50 inches (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 exhibition coordinator directly prior to submission. If you have any questions about if your work qualifies, please email exhibitions@artcentervb.org.
• Works requiring special installation must be cleared in advance.
• All works must be priced for sale and remain at the gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition. Once submitted we do not change the price so ensure you are pricing correctly.
• Pricing should be consistent with the artist's other works.  
• 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.