call for artists: “Nature and Neon”

by Carole Epp | Aug 2, 2017 | call for entry

The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts’ Sandra J. Blain Galleries invites artists to submit works for consideration for the national juried exhibition, “Nature and Neon.” Submissions will be accepted via SlideRoom from July 1, 2017, through October 4th, 2017.

Exhibition Description:

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is geographically located where the natural and the constructed worlds converge, and is also an environment that fosters artistic creation and education. Inspired by these unique intersections, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is looking for artists’ responses to the theme of this year’s national juried exhibition: Nature and Neon.

Landscape has been a prominent and historical subject matter explored by artists as they consider their relationship to the outdoors. Conversely, some contemporary artists seek to incorporate the kitsch, pop, and glamour of visual overload into their work. Juxtapositions between the natural and the artificial can be found everywhere and in almost every aspect of our lives. Submitted works for Nature and Neon, could be about the commodification of nature, constructed natural environments, or an interpretation of the countryside that takes fantastical or surreal form. Arrowmont invites work of any artistic media including traditional fine art and craft, cross-disciplinary work, and exploratory art forms. Works could be inspired by the traditional pastoral or could be interpretations of pop art and urban motifs. This exhibition asks the artist to consider what is natural, what is unnatural, and how the intersection of both attempts to capture its own disparate beauty.

Juror:

Writer, curator and educator Garth Johnson is curator of ceramics at the ASU Art Museum in Tempe, Arizona, where he oversees their world-renowned collection. Before moving to Tempe, Garth served as the Curator of Artistic Programs at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia and spent seven years as a Professor at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California. Johnson is known for his irreverent wit, which can be explored through his weblog, www.extremecraft.com. He has also exhibited his work and published his writing nationally and internationally, including contributions to the books Handmade Nation, Craftivity, Craft Corps, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s new book Nation Building. His book, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, was published by Quarry in November, 2009. He is a self-described craft activist who explores craft’s influence and relevance in the 21st century.

Criteria:

All emerging and professional artists 18 and over may apply. All media will be considered including book arts, ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, printmaking, wood, mixed media, video, and installation submissions will be accepted. If a piece contains a video component, the artist must indicate whether or not they can provide any of the necessary technological equipment for installation – not a requirement. All work must have been completed within the last two years. Current Arrowmont staff and residents may apply for the exhibition, but are ineligible to receive awards.

Submissions:

All entries must be submitted via SlideRoom (arrowmont.slideroom.com) by October 4th, 2017. The entry fee is $30 for 3 works. Image files must be in jpg. format. Stills can be submitted for video, or installations, with room for descriptions of the work. Within descriptions, links can be given to view a video online.

Application link: https://arrowmont.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/36967

Awards:

Monetary prizes will be awarded as follows:
First Place: $1,000
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
Two Honorable Mentions: $125/each

October 4, 2017                                         Midnight: submissions deadline on SlideRoom

Questions? Please Contact:

Kelly Hider
Gallery Coordinator
[email protected]
865-436-5860 x 22

Link to downloadable prospectus HERE