The NCECA Invitational is a themed, curated exhibition that features
leading edge, large-scale and often challenging ceramic art. Held in
even-numbered years, NCECA’s Exhibitions Director collaborates with the
host venue curator to develop an exhibition concept and select a
foundational group of artists’ works by invitation. Augmenting this core
selection, additional artists may respond to an open call for images of
ceramic works that support the theme. This format brings established
reputations and emerging talent to bear on the selected theme and adds
vitality and fresh perspectives to ongoing discourse in contemporary
art. The exhibition is organized and co-curated by NCECA Exhibitions
Director, Linda Ganstrom and Mel Buchanan, Assistant Curator,
20th-century Design at Milwaukee Art Museum.
Concept
The 2014 NCECA Invitational explores the significance of flow in
a physical, historical and symbolic sense. Water flows. Glaze flows.
Clay flows. To flow is to move in a current, like a liquid. Yet you
don’t need water to flow. A line can flow. Air flows. Music flows.
Electricity flows. Ideas flow. Artists can flow in a state of focused
motivation that brings a deep enjoyment to the process of their
activity. Energy flows. Time flows. Life flows. Our present fluidly
becomes our past. The museum promotes the flow of culture through the
presentation of artworks and ideas of material culture.
With their spectacular view of Lake Michigan, the dramatic windows of
the Baumgartner Galleria in the Milwaukee Art Museum allow the flow of
water and light to be a constant presence in the art gallery. Whether
in the atmospheric form of mist, rain, ice or snow, water in its various
physical states transforms the elegant space, marking the flow of time
and seasons. Set in this dramatic chamber of changing light and color, Flow: The 2014 NCECA Invitational seeks
an elite group of memorable ceramic works that embody the spirit and
physical properties of flow, as well as connect the contemporary space
of the Calatrava architecture with the historic collections of the
Milwaukee Art Museum.
Linda Ganstrom and Mel Buchanan, Co-Curators
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Media & Limitations
All works must be primarily ceramic or unfired clay. Mixed
media works will be accepted only if ceramic materials are the primary
media, although video documentation of projects involving ceramics is
encouraged. The curators will make final determinations. Large-scale
work can be accommodated. Floor works must be firmly stable.
Wall-mounted pieces can be accommodated. Works may be hung from the
ceiling in specific places. Work must have been produced within the last
five years and not have been shown in previous NCECA sponsored
exhibitions, the Milwaukee Art Museum or the greater Milwaukee area.
Entry Guidelines
All entries must be submitted electronically through Juried Art
Services. The initial curatorial phase will be accomplished through
review and selection of images of works submitted and available for the
exhibition. No substitutions will be allowed. Artists may submit up to ten pieces with two images of each work, not to exceed 20 images.
Members fee is $20
Non-Members fee is $35
NCECA membership runs 12 months from the date of joining or
renewal. NCECA Membership fees are not included in any event
registration. Membership is a standalone annual fee. To renew or become
an NCECA Member go to: http://www.nceca.net/static/membership_home.php . If you are unsure of your Membership status, please contact [email protected]
Before beginning submission, applicants must be prepared to provide the following:
o Biographical statement, up to 100 words.
Each work submitted must include the following image details:
o Title
o Catalogue Statement – up to 200 words addressing the theme of “flow” as it relates to this piece.
o Description – Date of Completion, Photo Credit (if artist,
type in ARTIST), Clay body, materials, and decorating/firing methods
o Sale Status – For Sale or Not For sale
o Image #s – Image 1, Image 1 detail = piece 1 w/detail
Image 2, Image 2 detail = piece 2 w detail
Etc. for each subsequent piece up to 10 pieces
o Dimensions (inches) H x W x D
o Weight (lbs.)
o Retail Price
o Insurance Value: Milwaukee Art Museum requires Insurance value to equal Retail Value
o Estimated return shipping cost
No changes will be allowed once an entry is accepted into the database. Once
data is entered in the system, it cannot be altered. Proofread your
data carefully as this information will be used to generate the
exhibition budget, catalog, insurance and publicity information. Your submission is considered a formal agreement that the work is available for exhibition, accurately described and priced.
Calendar
Detailed information and Online Submittal form: Available March 8, 2013
Online Submittal deadline: June 5, 2013 (midnight EST)
Acceptance notification: August 1, 2013
Contracts and Statements due: August 15, 2013
Delivery of accepted work: January 2 – January 22, 2014
Installation: February 11 – February 21, 2014
Exhibition dates: February 22 – March 23, 2014
Return of work: By April 23, 2014
Deadline for submission of shipping reimbursement form: May 1, 2014
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Shipping
Artists are responsible for shipping their work to and from the
Milwaukee Art Museum and insuring it while in transit. Works may be
shipped or hand-delivered to the museum. The artist must contact the
Milwaukee Art Museum registrar’s office in advance of shipment,
informing them of the method of shipment and date of shipment. The
Museum cannot accept anything over the weekend. Works should be shipped
in reusable containers with photographic documentation for re-packing.
NCECA has a limited budget for reimbursement of RETURN shipping only.
Reimbursement amounts payable to individual artists will be determined
based on estimated return shipping costs submitted at the time of entry.
The reimbursable amount will be calculated on an individual basis and
stated in the exhibiting artist’s contract.
Accepted work will be shipped to:
Registrar’s Office c/o
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 North Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Insurance and Sales
The Milwaukee Art Museum will insure all work upon its arrival
and until departure under its fine arts policy for the amounts specified
by the insurance value listed and up to the limits of the Milwaukee Art
Museum’s current insurance policy. Certain restrictions apply.
The Milwaukee Art Museum will not conduct sales. Work may be offered
for sale through the NCECA Office. A 30% commission on sales will be
retained by NCECA. Return shipping reimbursement is available to
artists only. In the event a work is sold, it is the responsibility of
the artist to arrange and pay for shipping to the buyer.
Photography and Permissions
Images of entries may be retained for the NCECA archives.
Images of works included in the exhibition may be reproduced in print
materials and posted on NCECA’s website, blog and social media. NCECA
also reserves the right to use images, biographical materials and artist
statements in reports and share them with the media. Images of works in
the exhibition may also be shared by NCECA within an image library as
part of accessCeramics.org
Various other educational and promotional materials may be created by
the Milwaukee Art Museum or NCECA. Works in the exhibition may be
photographed, telecast, and reproduced for press and publicity purposes
including but not limited to reproduction in newspapers, periodicals,
magazines, in television programs and on the Internet in connection with
the exhibition and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Participating artists must agree to allow NCECA and gallery visitors to
photograph work while on display for educational and publicity purposes.
Catalogue
NCECA will produce a color catalogue documenting the exhibition
experience through artists’ bios and statements; color images of
artwork, and pertinent essays. The catalogue will be available for
pre-purchase and for purchase at the conference. Two complementary
copies of the color catalogue will be provided to each artist whose work
is included in the exhibition.
Reception
A reception during the NCECA conference will celebrate the exhibition.
