Art of Democracy Call for Entries

Our friends at the New York Society of Etchers have just announced the new call for entries of “Art of Democracy 2012.”  This exhibition focuses on political prints, posters, and related artworks (a limited number of video or 3D works will be included at the juror’s discretion).

Artists currently working in the US creating politically-themed art are eligible for this exhibition, and can submit up to 3 images for $30.  Outside dimensions of the work (including framing) cannot exceed 60 in.  The deadline for submissions is September 14.  Full details can be found on their website.  Good luck!

July 2012 Artist Opportunities

Last week we mentioned several grants for artists, and today we want to share a few exhibition opportunities.

This color print by Martha Oatway would be eligible for the ACPS show!

First, WPG has our own on-going call for proposals for 2013 Press Room Mini Solos.  These mini-solos are held in the retro-fitted vault off the side of the main gallery.  It now houses a mini-press for demos (hence it’s name).  Applications are due October 24.

The Brentwood Arts Exchange also has a call for exhibition proposals.  There is no media or residency restrictions, the only requirement is artists must be 18 or older.  You can download the guidelines for submission here.  Entries are due August 31.

Finally, the American Color Print Society is hosting its 7th Annual Fall Open Show, for anyone creating, you guessed it, color prints.  The deadline for entries is September 4, and you can download the prospectus here.

Grants for Artists

“Winter Canyon” by Scott Barnes

Do you have a project you want funded?  We’ve received several emails about artist grants (now that the internet and power are back up and we can receive emails!).  Check out some of these and get some money for your art!

Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awards–Applications due July 27 for those working in Visual Arts in Canvas or Works on Paper. Award amounts are $1,000, $3,000, and $6,000.  These awards are for MD artists age 18 and over.  If you work in these media, make the effort to apply, as the media allowed rotates each grant cycle.  Details can be seen at the link above.

Franz and Virginia Bader Fund – This award is granted to artists age 40 and over working within a 150 mile radius of Washington, DC.  Grants may be used for any purposes relating to the recipients’ work as artists.  We suggest applying to this grant to help with an upcoming show, body of work, or website development.

Kickstarter–This isn’t a grant program per se, but if you haven’t heard of it, check it out.  It’s a great way to get a project started.  For example, one of our NSW accepted artists, Scott Barnes, is raising money to print the full edition of his Grand Canyon Suite (from which his NSW print is part).  Check it out, donate, and set up your own project!

Call for Entries: Press Room Mini Solos 2013

Anne McLaughlin’s mini solo, “Without Reservations”

Last year we hosted our first ever call for proposals for the Press Room, an old Vault that has been converted into exhibition space at WPG.  It’s name comes from the mini-press that now lives there that WPG members use for demos.  So far, we have had several WPG members host mini-solos in the space (pictures above and below).  We are excited to host several outside printmakers: Aaron Coleman, Dale Klein, and Carol MacDonald (more info on them in future posts) later this year from that 2011 call for entries.

Ed McCluney’s November 2011 mini solo “From the Vault”

Now we are inviting outside printmakers to apply for our 2013 season.  You can see full details, including pictures and a floorplan of the space here, but in general:  There is no fee to apply.  Deadline is October 24, 2012.  Decisions and notifications will be sent out by the end of the year.  We are looking for shows that deal with traditional (not digital) printmaking, papermaking, and book arts.  Group shows and solo exhibitions are considered.  Some ideas to get you going:  This is a great space for a group/solo thesis exhibition (we’re looking at you GMU and UMD printmakers!), small retrospectives from printmakers who haven’t had a show in a while, or somewhere to try your new experimental print-based media like large hanging prints or print-based installation work.

We look forward to seeing your applications!

“Fragments” by Eric COGu Robinson, our current press room mini-solo

Harnett Biennial CFE

“Going Home” Woodcut by Tony Lazorko

It’s that time again!  We just received the Call for Entries for University of Richmond’s Harnett Biennial of American Prints.  Last Exhibition (in 2010) included works by WPG’s then member Tony Lazorko and current member Lee Newman, as well as friends of the gallery Lindsay McCulloch, Jake Muirhead, and Ann Zahn.  We’re hoping to see some more familiar names this round!

2012′s juror is Carl Solway, specialist in contemporary art and President of the Carl Solway Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio.  The exhibition is open to all artists residing in the US and using traditional or experimental printmaking techniques and media (but no giclee reproductions).  The deadline for submissions is August 8, and you can download and entry form here.  There are several undisclosed purchase awards mentioned.  The exhibition will be on view October 23-December 9 of this year.  Good luck, printmakers!

Portfolio Reviews at Brentwood Arts Exchange

Our friends at Brentwood Arts Exchange are hosting a portfolio review.  This review will be conducted by arts professionals such as Helen Frederick and Michael McBride, and is open to artists of all experience levels – student to established.  This is your opportunity to receive critical feedback from those who have insight into the gallery, municipal, and collegial worlds.

Full details can be seen on Brentwood’s website.  Hurry though-portfolio’s on CD are due this SATURDAY, May 19.  Artists will receive notification of their review time (between 10 am and 4 pm on June 2) after the porfolio has been initially reviewed for completeness.

Just Announced: the Tran Van Dinh Award

"Emerging Dragon" by Nuong Van-Dinh Tran

Dr. Tran Van Dinh was an admired diplomat, professor, and author, who, amongst his many roles, served in the Vietnam Embassy as well as taught at SUNY and Temple University. In addition to his work promoting peace and social justice, he was an avid supporter of the arts—often accompanying his wife and founding member of WPG Nuong Van Dinh Tran to gallery events. We were sad to lose him in October of 2011.

Dr. Tran’s wife, Nuong, recently came across last year’s NSW brochure, and said she was again impressed by the quality of work that was included.  She knew her husband would want to support the wonderful printmakers across the country, and contacted the gallery to set up an award in his honor.  To that end, we are proud to announce the Tran Van Dinh award as part of this year’s National Small Works.  This $200 cash prize is in addition to the previously announced awards, and will go to a deserving printmaker.

We would like to thank Nuong and her her family for thinking of the gallery, and we are honored to be able to remember Dr. Tran in this way.

National Small Works 2012 FAQ

TONIGHT is the early bird, reduced fee deadline for National Small Works.  If you miss that deadline, you do still have some time to apply–the final deadline is May 19–but the fee goes up.  We’ve seen a lot of entries in the past two days, and have had a couple phone calls, too, asking for clarification on a few points.  So, in an effort to help any last-minute applicants, here’s a list of a few FAQ’s and their answers.  If you can’t find the answer here, definitely call us!

What does the 170 square inch size limit apply to? This size limit applies to the printed area, not the size of the paper or the frame.  Roughly, this is a 13×13 inch square.  The paper can be larger, but, make sure it fits into an 18 inch frame.  Due the the amount of works we have to fit in here, the outside height or width cannot be larger than 18 inches.

It’s asking me to pay and I haven’t uploaded my images yet! Different entry systems work different ways–some let you upload your images first and then pay, some make you pay first.  Smarter Entry is one of those where you pay first.  After you have created your profile and submitted your credit card information, the site will redirect you to a page where you can upload and edit your images.  KEEP IN MIND that you can create a profile image for yourself when you are creating a profile.  This is NOT where you upload your prints and will NOT be judged.

Are solarplates, photogravures, or other photographic print processes eligible?  Generally, yes.  A good rule of thumb is if the digitally or photographically created image is transferred to a matrix such as a screen or plate and then printed by hand (either with a squeegee, through a press, or some other traditional method) then it is considered a hand-pulled print.  If you exposed the final “print” in a darkroom or printed it out from a printer, it is not a hand-pulled print.  We know there are a lot of gray areas here, such as digital prints combined with handpulled prints, print collages, etc, so call us if you’re unsure.

Help! It’s 2 minutes away from the deadline and I’m having trouble uploading my images and there’s no one to call! First, calm down, take a deep breath, and read the instructions again.  You’re probably just rushing and missed a step.  We do have a built-in grace period of about 30 minutes for all those last-minute applicants (hey, we’ve been there, too).  If you really can’t get it to work, send us an email or leave us a phone message.  We’ll note the time, and, as long as it’s within that 30 minute grace period (so we know you really did try), we can help you finish your application the next business day.

C Street Arts Festival CFE

"Calm Day at Fort Stark" 2011 winning print by Hannah Phelps

Hi artists–this is a friendly reminder that you now have just under two weeks to apply to National Small Works for the reduced early bird fee.  The fee goes up to $30 after April 19.

If you aren’t applying to National Small Works due to size or media constraints, (or even if you are) we want to share another call for entries with you from C Street Gallery in Laurel, MD.  Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 10-4 will be the inaugural C Street Arts Festival.  In addition to music, poetry, theatre, and dance, the Festival will feature a juried selection of high-quality and diverse visual artists.  We personally love new festivals because the fees are always low, and this one is no different–there is NO application fee, and, if you are accepted, only a $35 booth fee (as compared to the multiple hundreds you might spend at Arts on Foot, Adams Morgan Day Festival, and others).  Bonus:  If you don’t have booth supplies like tents, chairs, and tables, you are able to rent them for an additional fee.

You can see the full call for entries on this website.  The deadline for submissions is coming up – midnight on April 18.  Artists selected for the festival will be notified by April 27.  Good luck!

MORE March Calls for Entry

It’s just a busy time of year!  In addition to our ongoing National Small Works Call for Entries, we have two more to share with you:

Pyramid Atlantic Annual Juried Member Exhibition:  If you’re a member, you’re eligible to apply to this annual exhibition, held in WPG’s own gallery space.  Last year was a great show, with wall-based installations and life-size paper dresses.  We’re looking forward to another great show this year!  The deadline for application is March 23.  After that, it’s a quick turnaround time between notification (March 26) and the work delivery deadline (April 6).  Full details can be seen at Call for Entry-you need to sign up first (free) and then you can access the calendar.

Prints Galore is a juried exhibition open to all US resident artists, held by the Santa Cruz Art League.  This exhibit will showcase the myriad types of printmaking, traditional and experimental. Digital media allowed only in conjunction with printmaking techniques.  Deadline is April 27.  You can download a prospectus at their website.

Good luck everyone!