Blankspace Community Board

Hello Everyone,

Well here is the second installment of the Blank[space] Blog. For this weeks blog I would like to list all of the exhibition/artist opportunities that I have info for. Please don't be greedy- forward this info on to all for the artists that you think may be interested.

One thing I would like to do before starting the list is to help de-mystify the "Open Call". There are many open calls out there, some free, some not. I would like to help you as artists to understand that just because there is a fee for an open call, you should NOT disregard it. Some of the most prestigious open calls have a small entry fee.

It is easy to think "Well why should I pay a fee to pay for a show I may not be in"? What you should understand is that yes, these open call fees do go to the gallery, but what it pays for is the galley's efforts to create a great opportunity for emerging artists . The fees really go to paying the time and effort to create the call, the advertising, press, and most importantly securing a well known juror that will look at your work.

All of this may not seem important to you, but if you break it down it is a very important opportunity to not only exhibit your work, but have it seen by respected curators and gallery owners. In my experience, just because your work is not chosen for a specific exhibition, does not mean that you may not receive a phone call or email for the juror down the road for a studio visit or inclusion in a show they are curating.

One great example is the Bay Area Currents show at the Oakland Art Gallery. One year they had Rosemund Felsen, of the well known Rosamund Felsen Gallery in Santa Monica California. She juried the show at OAG and then went on to do a group show at her own gallery with some of the Bay Area artists from the OAG show and studio visits she had done.

She has since picked up at least 2 of the artists to represent and show regularly. None of this would have happened if OAG had not taken the time to create this opportunity...get what I am saying...? Your fee helps the gallery to keep creating these great opportunities.

So the lecture is over here is a list of some current Open Call opportunities: I have done them in order of deadline date:

Pro Arts New Visions: Introductions 2008

Pre-Registration Deadline: August 16
Same-Day Registration & Artwork Drop-off: August 20

Exhibition: August 28 - October 24

Selections by Lucinda Barnes, Chief Curator and Director of Programs and Collections, Berkeley Art Museum, and Karen Tsujimoto, Senior Curator, Oakland Museum of California.

New Visions: Introductions 2008 presents works juried by members of the Bay Area arts community. Selections are made from actual works in person. Participation is open to all artists, from anywhere, of any age, who are members of Pro Arts. Artists may submit up to five works.

click here for more info and registration instructions

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Oakland Art Gallery Deadline: Sept. 6, 2008

Prospectus for California History Walk Exhibit September 2008 Jurors: Maria Porges, Jo Ford Exhibition Dates: September 17 – Sept 27, 2008 Read more

Prospectus for California History Walk at the Oakland Art Gallery September 2008 Artists are invited to create a single work about an experience or memory pertaining to California history. This memory can be personal or traditional/ collective, or evoke the “natural” history of the state. A personal history can be of a particular place, a remembered event or a personal influence; a childhood field trip, or a more recent visit to a particular site or building. It does, however, need to be something demonstrably evocative of California. A work based in traditional or collective memory might evoke a “historical” person, landmark or event. Natural history includes events relating to any flora, fauna, fish or fowl, land or seascape that is California. Why California? Why history? And why a memory of history? California has often been invoked as the furthest frontier and the seedbed for the future of the country, for good or ill. It is undeniably a place that nourishes new ideas and trends. But California has as many histories as inhabitants-- and few of those histories have been publicly explored. History is based upon memory as much as fact—and on who has control of the historical narrative. This exhibition offers an opportunity for Californian artists to explore the relationship between their own recollections and experiences and public conceptions of the state’s past. Memories of course can be investigated and substantiated as the artist see fit. The work will be judged upon artistic integrity, poignancy and aesthetics, rather than on historical accuracy. Already existing works can be submitted, (work no older than 3 years please) but this is primarily an invitation to create something new. The Closing Event: At the conclusion of the show there will be a closing event in which all artists will be required to participate. Through a “cakewalk,” works will be exchanged for either another piece of art or for a prize. The event will be interactive and non-submitting participants will be able to purchase a ticket to play. Further details will be given out for participating artists. “California History Walk” Open: California Jurors: Maria Porges, Jo Ford Media: All except Performance, (Film / Video acceptance based upon willingness to supply media support) Size: 3’ x 3’ (maximum) Fee: none Hand deliver: Sept.4 – Sept.6 (Thursday – Saturday) Thurs / Fri 12pm - 6p.m., Sat. 12-2p.m. Pick-up of non-accepted work: Sept. 11 – Sept. 13 (Wednesday – Friday) Wed / Fri / Thurs 12p.m. -6 p.m., Sat. 12-2p.m. Exhibition Dates:September 17 – Sept 27, 2008 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OAKLAND ART GALLERY OPEN CALL - BAY AREA CURRENTS 2008 Deadline: September 12th, 2008 ONLINE APPLICATION: https://db.proartsgallery.org/oag/bac_08.php TIMELINE OPEN CALL CLOSES September 12th, 2008 JURYING September 12 -19, 2008 STUDIO VISITS September 26-28 EXHIBITION October 15- November 22, 2008 RECEPTION October 16, 5-8pm ARTISTS/CURATOR TALK November 20, 6-8pm JUROR: Aimee Reed Aimee Reed earned her M.A. in art history at San Francisco State University, focusing on spatial theory and the previously marginalized artist. She has worked with a variety of artists and curators including LeFalle Curatorial, The Chinati Foundation in Marfa, TX, Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco, Hosfelt Gallery in San Francisco and New York, and with the San Francisco State University Fine Arts Gallery and the International Center for the Arts. Currently she is the Curator of Exhibitions at the Rena Bransten Gallery in San Francisco, as well as a contributing writer for Artweek Magazine and the website Open Door Contemporary Art Projects (www.odcap.com). Eligibility Artists must be at least 18 years of age. Artists who have exhibited at the gallery in 2007 are ineligible to apply. Artists must live or have a studio in one of the 9 Bay Area Counties. NO EXCEPTIONS Media Works in all media are acceptable. Works must have been completed within the last two years. The schedule for studio visits is September 26th, 27th and 28th. Artists must be available (or arrange for a representative) at their studio for a visit during this time. How do I apply? The application can be accessed here: https://db.proartsgallery.org/oag/bac_08.php. You simply create an account, fill out an application and submit your images online. There is a $30 application fee. All standard entries must be submitted online. We will only accept works in new media by mail. All Completed Entries Must Include: 1. Completed Entry Form 2. Up to 5 images 3. Image List 4. Artist Statement: The statement must be no longer than one page. Include your name and contact information on the top. 5. Entry Fee: $30.00 in the form of Visa or MC. New media entries can send a check or money order payable to: Oakland Art Gallery.