Call Detail
In My Backyard
Entry Deadline: 6/15/22
Application Closed

Entry Fee (Entry Fee): $35.00
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 3
Video | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 3
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 3
Call Type: Exhibitions
Eligibility: Regional
State: California

Exhibit Dates: August 18 – September 10, 2022

Entry Deadline: Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 10 pm Pacific Time Zone

Submit your entry online at CaFÉ for artists: DIRECT LINK

Gearbox Gallery invites submissions to our 2022 Juried Exhibition, In My Backyard.

In My Backyard refers to the area where you live, where you are, your domain, or a location very close to you. It could be as literal as the view out your window, or it could be an expression of your emotional state. As your backyard is an extension of your physical home so this backyard could be an extension of your spiritual self.

In My Backyard can also refer to a situation that you are directly involved in, next to, near and not far away from, or responsible for. It could be something occurring closer to you than you had hoped, assumed, or thought. Things may happen there that we are unaware of or that need to be cleaned up. 

“There is nothing quite delightfully mysterious as a secret in your own backyard.” -Fantasy writer, Patrick Rothfuss

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy always wanted to go over the rainbow only to discover that there is no place like home.

“If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with.” -Noel Langley

Whether it be a place, an event, or a mental state, submit artwork that reflects your interpretation of what is ”In my backyard”? 

JURORS: Joyce Gordon, owner of Joyce Gordon Gallery in Oakland, California, and Joyce Gordon Gallery curator, Eric Murphy.

Joyce Gordon has long been hailed as the heart of Oakland’s vibrant arts community, owning one of the longest-running fine art galleries in the city and one of the original members of Oakland’s thriving Art Murmur gallery walks. For the past 20 years her gallery has exhibited national and international artists in a diverse range of styles and mediums and is known to be a primary venue for African and African American Artists. Joyce Gordon’s artistic efforts have gifted Oakland not only with a consistently excellent downtown Oakland gallery but also with a cultural center hosting poetry and musical events. In addition, Ms. Gordon has also created the Joyce Gordon Foundation of the Arts sponsoring vendor events that work with underserved youth. For her, art, and being around creative people, comes naturally. “I really believe that art provokes conversation, brings people together to help understand different cultures, and opens narrow minds.”

Photographer and graphic design artist, Eric Murphy, is the Gallery Curator for Joyce Gordon Gallery. Murphy, a former staff member of Pro Arts Gallery Oakland, has supported bay area galleries such as Slate Contemporary, Firehouse Art Center, Harrington Gallery and Evolve Gallery. A project Manager and Curator for the Oakland-Fukuoka Artist Exchange, Murphy was instrumental in the permanent installation of works by Oakland artist, James Gayles, and Fukuoka artist, Hiroko To, in Japan’s Fukuoka gardens (Oakland’s sister city) and Oakland City Hall. Murphy sits on the board of the Alameda County Arts Commission and is curatorial Advisor for Tea Roots organization of Oakland/San Francisco.

ELIGIBILITY: Open to Northern California artists over the age of 18. BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ artists are encouraged to apply. Please note, artwork must be hand delivered to GearBox Gallery in Oakland, CA if accepted for exhibition.

ACCEPTED ENTRIES: Entries must be of work original to the submitting artist. Entries may be of any media and created between 2018 and 2022. There are no size limitations for entries however works must be able to be delivered through a standard size doorway. All entries must include title, medium, year and specific dimensions. You may submit a statement about the work as it relates to the exhibit theme. Work differing substantially from the submitted image(s) may be rejected for exhibition. The juror will make the final determination if accepted work will be included in the exhibition. GearBox Gallery, LLC reserves the right not to accept exceptionally large, heavy, unstable, or cumbersome pieces. Work must be framed (when applicable) and ready to hang (wire, d-rings, or cleat). Artist must provide means of display for audio or video works.

AWARDS: Two prestigious awards will be given to two separate artists.

  1. Juror’s Award: One artist will be given the opportunity to be featured as a guest artist in a two-person exhibition at GearBox Gallery in the following year. See our website for information on past winners and their featured exhibitions at GearBox Gallery.
  2. GearBox Gallery Award: Another artist will be given the opportunity to exhibit in the Inner Room at GearBox Gallery in the following year. The Inner Room is an intimate exhibition space within the gallery. See our website for past Inner Room exhibitions at GearBox Gallery.

ENTRY FEES: A non-refundable fee of $35 is required for application. One application per artist only. 3 image or media files may be submitted per application for $35. Online submissions are not considered complete until payment is received. 

SUBMISSION PROCESS: GearBox Gallery, LLC will only be accepting online entries for “In My Backyard” through the online, portfolio review site CaFÉ for Artists.

1.     Register at https://www.callforentry.org/ if you don’t already have an account.

2.     Follow the instructions to upload up to 3 entry images (up to 5MB; JPEG or JPG only) or media files in MOV, MP4, WMV, 3GP, AVI, ASF, MPG, M2T, MKV, M2TS format (up to 100 MB). How to upload work samples.

3.     Complete entry details for the “In My Backyard” Call for Entries. You can save your progress and return to your entry at any time before the deadline to edit your information. 

4.     Complete payment information to finalize your entry. You cannot edit your entry after submitting payment information. Payment must be received by the deadline for your entry to be accepted. Pay by credit card through the CaFÉ for Artists Site. To pay by check, mail your check to GearBox Gallery at 770 West Grand Ave, Oakland CA 94612. Checks must be received by the gallery on or before June 20, 2022, in order for your submission to be considered complete by the deadline.

Please do not submit any materials directly to the gallery. We are not requesting résumés, CVs, or other materials at this time. Please give yourself enough time to complete the application process.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022, 10 PM (PACIFIC TIME ZONE) IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE EXHIBITION.

NOTIFICATION: Notification of the juror’s selections will be made by email on Sunday, July 10, 2022. GearBox Gallery, LLC bears no responsibility for incorrectly submitted email contact information or any failure of the artist's email service.

DELIVERY & PICK UP OF WORK: The artist is responsible for the delivery and pick up of accepted artwork to the gallery. No substitutions of artwork are permitted. Artwork must be delivered in person to GearBox Gallery at 770 West Grand Ave in Oakland, CA between noon and 4pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022 in order to be included in the exhibition. Artwork must be delivered properly labeled and ready to hang or display. Exhibiting artists will sign a guest artist agreement specifying exhibit details per this prospectus. The juror will have the opportunity to review all delivered artwork in person and make the final determination whether or not the work will be included in the exhibition by end of day August 17, 2022.

Following the close of the exhibition, artwork must be picked up from the gallery between noon and 4pm on Sunday, September 11, 2022. Please arrange for a representative to pick up your artwork if you are unable. Artwork remaining at GearBox Gallery past specified pick-up dates and times will be subject to a $10 per day storage fee. After 15 days the work becomes the property of the gallery.

PHOTOGRAPHY and PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS: Your entry gives Gearbox Gallery, LLC permission to use images of your artwork and to photograph the artwork for promotional, educational, or historical purposes. Gearbox Gallery, LLC promotes exhibitions on the Oakland Art Murmur website, GearBox Gallery Instagram, and Facebook page as well as on the Gearbox Gallery website and other online listing sites as the Gallery deems appropriate.

SALES: Artwork must be for sale. Artwork may be sold but cannot be removed from the gallery during the exhibition. If an artwork is sold, GearBox Gallery, LLC will mail a payment of 60% of the sale price of the work to the artist within 30 days of the close of the exhibit.

If artwork exhibited at GearBox Gallery is sold up to three months after the “In My Backyard” exhibit ends and is sold as a direct result of the piece being displayed in that gallery exhibit, the artist agrees to pay GearBox Gallery, LLC a referral commission rate of 25% within 30 days after the sale.

LIABILITY: All due care and caution will be taken in the handling of artwork. The Gearbox Gallery has a security system. Gallery attendants will be present during the hours of operation. However, the artist assumes all liability for artwork during the show's dates (from the day of delivery through the day of removal).

CALENDAR:

June 15 (Wednesday) - Entry details, images, and payment due by 10 pm Pacific Time Zone.

July 10 (Sunday) - Artists notified of juror's results by email. 

August 14 (Sunday) - Drop-off of selected artwork at the gallery between noon & 4 pm. 

August 17 (Wednesday) - The juror has the opportunity to review the work. The juror will make the final determination whether or not the work will be included in the exhibition. 

August 18 (Thursday) – “In My Backyard” Exhibition begins. Gallery Hours Thurs-Fri-Sat: Noon - 5 pm, First Friday, September 2: 5-8 pm

August 20 (Saturday) – Opening Reception with Juror’s Talk; reception 1-4 pm, time of talk to be determined

September 2 (Friday) – Closing Reception: First Friday 5-8 pm

September 10 (Saturday) – Last day of exhibition

September 11 (Sunday) - Artwork pick up between noon & 4pm. Artwork left 15 days beyond the stated pick up dates becomes the property of the gallery.

AGREEMENT: Submission of work constitutes an agreement to the conditions set forth and acceptance that the decisions of the juror are final. GearBox Gallery, LLC may photograph and reproduce accepted work for promotional purposes. Artists may not withdraw accepted entries before the close of the exhibition. GearBox Gallery, LLC is not responsible for refunding entry fees or allowing artists to change submission information for artworks which do not meet above rules.

GEARBOX GALLERY: GearBox Gallery is an artist-run, fine art gallery located at 770 W. Grand Ave in Oakland, CA directly below the well-established Transmission Gallery. GearBox Gallery is a member of the Oakland Art Murmur, which promotes Oakland arts and sponsors events, including the famous First Friday Art Walks. More information available at gearboxgallery.com.

Application Requirements

Entries must be of work original to the submitting artist. Entries may be of any media and created between 2018 and 2022. There are no size limitations for entries however works must be able to be delivered through a standard size doorway. All entries must include title, medium, year and specific dimensions. You may submit a statement about the work as it relates to the exhibit theme. Work differing substantially from the submitted image(s) may be rejected for exhibition. The juror will make the final determination if accepted work will be included in the exhibition. GearBox Gallery, LLC reserves the right not to accept exceptionally large, heavy, unstable, or cumbersome pieces. Work must be framed (when applicable) and ready to hang (wire, d-rings, or cleat). Artist must provide means of display for audio or video works.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to Northern California artists over the age of 18. BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ artists are encouraged to apply. Please note, artwork must be hand delivered to GearBox Gallery in Oakland, CA if accepted for exhibition.