Call for Art: WORDS MATTER

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Accepted Art

Words Matter
​Come and see how our artists have used the written word to inspire their art or utilized words in the art itself!
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 Exhibition Dates: September 1st - October 1st, 2023

8/17          NEW! Application Deadline, Thursday (midnight). Please ensure your photos are cropped and only showing your artwork.     
8/22-23     Standards Committee Selections
8/25           Notifications Posted (on this page)
8/29           Drop Off, Tuesday 11 am - 4 pm                              
8/31            Open for Visitors, Thursday 10 am
9/1              Reception Friday 6-8 pm, Awards Presentation, 7 pm 
10/1            Artists Talk, Sunday 2-3 pm
10/3            Pick Up, Tuesday 11 am - 4 pm (see note below)

Judge:    Ukwensi Chappell
 With years of experience as co-director/curator at several art galleries in Maui he decided to relocate to the Hampton Roads area where he opened Gallerie Ukwensi in April 2018 in the Ghent area of Norfolk VA. This unique space features several award-winning artists which are well recognized in the area. As an artist himself, his work is mesmerizing and larger than life, incorporating glass and other mixed medias that add texture and movement to his artwork.

Awards: 

• 1st Place $100
• 2nd Place $75
• 3rd Place $50
• Special Recognition $30
• 4 Honorable Mentions $25 each

Special Rules:    

• Artwork must incorporate words, letters, script or be inspired by the written word to be considered for the exhibition. Be creative and think outside the box. This exhibition is open to all types of art such as ceramics, jewelry, photography and artworks created with unusual materials.
• Be sure to read ALL general rules at the bottom of this page.    

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Interpretation of Theme:
Words, we use them every day. How do you incorporate them into your artwork? Book pages, painted in, collaged, embroidered, etched into ceramics. Maybe you have a favorite letter or verse that inspires your art. Show us how Words Matter to 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.
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If you are unsure of how to approach this theme, please reach out to us at exhibitions@artcentervb.org


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.
• 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 reserves the right to edit statements for clarity, length or typos.
• NEW! 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.
• NEW! 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, August 29th, 11 am to 4 pm.
• No works will be accepted after Tuesday at 5 pm. If you cannot drop off on Tuesday, please make arrangements with us for an EARLY drop off. 
• Affix a label on the back of 2D artwork or under 3D artwork with Artist name and Title.
• 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 posters and postcards/handouts will be available at drop off.
• Pick up is Tuesday, October 3rd, 11 am-4 pm.  

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.  (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. 
• NEW! 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. 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 October 1st, 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, October 1st 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.
• 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 artwork 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 title, medium, price, artist name and phone number.
• 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.  Any exceptions to these limitations will be made on a case by case basis.  Please contact the exhibition coordinator before submitting. 
• 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.