Winter Solstice
In some cultures, the year is reborn during the winter solstice and is considered a new beginning associated with the festival of the sun. How does the day with the shortest daylight hours inspire you to create. Let your imagination go and find a drop of sunshine that will illuminate your artistic creation.

Submission date: October 17 by midnight.

 Exhibition Dates:  11/1-12/22, 2024

10/17             Application deadline Thursday by Midnight.                  
10/25             Notifications of accepted art posted on this page.
10/29             Drop Off, Tuesday 11 am - 4:45 pm only.  
10/31             Open for Visitors, Thursday 10 am
11/1                Reception Friday 6-8 pm
                       Award Presentation, 7 pm 
11/21              Art Chat
12/27             Pick Up, Friday 10:30 am - 4:30 pm (see note below)

Awards: 

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

Special Rules:    

• Winter Solstice is a themed exhibit, and artists are encouraged to interpret the theme in their own style.
• Be sure to read ALL general rules at the bottom of this page.    

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Interpretation of Theme:
Our first exhibit during the winter months in the Brock Gallery is designed to be interpreted by the artists imagination. Do not let the title hinder you from interpreting the theme in your own personal style. The theme lends itself to all types of art from plein air, figurative, emotional, abstract, 3D, botanical and whimsical. The art can be just about color, a beautiful landscape or a figure standing in sunlight snow. Deeper emotional interpretations are perfect for this exhibit since the theme puts us in contact with our mystical past.

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, and all other types of art are welcomed to submit, as long as they are tied into the theme of the exhibit.
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If you are unsure of how to approach this theme, please reach out to us @[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 the criteria's set forth in the prospectus. 
• 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. 
• Prior to uploading your photos rename them on the device you are using (PC, Mac Book, iPhone or another phone) in the following format:
• lastname_firstname_titleofartwork.jpg here is an example, smith_john_teachersexhibit.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 will not convert your photos if using a different format than jpg.
• ​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, to be displayed with the work.  Statement should be 50-75 words (basically 2 lines in a standard Word document).  The Art Center staff will edit statements for clarity, length or typos. 
•  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 October 25.

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Drop Off and Pick Up of Art:

• Drop off is Tuesday, 10/29, 11 am to 4:45 pm.
• No works will be accepted after 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.
• 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.
• Exhibition postcards/handouts will be available at drop off.
• Pick up is Friday 12/27, DATE, 11 am-4:45 pm.  The gallery is closed but the art curator will be there 10:30 am - 4:30pm.

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 (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. (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 that are on a 3/4" 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 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

Art Chat:

• Art Chat will be held on Thursday 11/21, 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Bring your family. friends and interested collectors. This is a great way to mingle and meet potential buyers while enjoying conversation with other artists. Light refreshments will be offered during the Art Chat.​​
• 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
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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 (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 [email protected].
• 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.
• 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.