"Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.” – Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, MD, PhD

We are intrinsically and deeply tied to water, especially in Florida. The waters that surround us in the landscape, the waters that flow underneath our feet in the aquifer -- they nourish us, connect us, and inspire us. The works in this exhibition explore various “states” of water, from literal to figurative: whether physically transcending states from liquid, to solid, to gas; from the flowing state of a winding river; to a tear flowing down a cheek; to sweat rising from the skin in fear; to a destructive state from a storm surge. Various states of water can be as terrifying as they can be awe-inspiring. 

In conjunction with the Water State Festival (April 15th: 12pm-6pm) at Depot Park, the State of Water Art Exhibition will showcase original diverse works of art by the most talented artists residing in North Central Florida. Established and emerging artists in the region are eligible to submit up to 2 entries for consideration. The exhibition will be held at the Cade Museum from April 13th thru April 30th, 2023. The museum is located at 811 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. To increase community involvement with the two events, Play Hard Florida will provide funding for free admission to see both the exhibition and the Cade's collection.  

$1,200 in cash awards to the four top-placing judged-by-jury artists! Between press releases, the number of projected attendees, and the two community events taking place, the selected artists will receive significant recognition.  The exhibition will also be benefiting two 501(c) (3) non-profit environmental organizations that protect Florida's natural waters: Florida Springs Institute & Current Problems. Also, displayed art pieces may be advertised as for sale during the show - as the show approaches we'll be providing more information on the sales process. 

Eligibility
Established and emerging artists in the Gainesville area and in the surrounding central and north Florida areas are eligible to submit up to 2 different objects for consideration for the exhibition, in line with the theme States of Water. First object entry is $25 and second object entry is $10. It's encouraged to enter the maximum number of photos/video of each object entry. The exhibition is open to two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of original art in most media, including painting, drawing, illustration, photography, print media, ceramic, sculpture, video and mixed media. Please note accepted artists must drop off their piece(s). Each entry must be completed via CaFÉ and must include a high resolution digital image of your original art. Only entries representing completed works of art will be considered. Jurors reserve the right not to exhibit a work if the object received is different from the one proposed with the application.

Also, separately and not dependent on acceptance into the show - submitted artists can apply to be an art vendor and sell their works at the April 15th Festival in the adjacent Depot Park. Here is the online vendor application.

Entry Process
Each entry must be completed online via CaFÉ and must include an application, a nonrefundable entry fee of $25 for the first object, and a high resolution digital image (5 max) of your original art (uploaded to CaFÉ). A second object for consideration requires a nonrefundable entry fee of $10 and a high resolution digital image (5 max). There is a limit of 2 objects submitted per artist. Information about the objects should include artist's name, title of the work, year created, and media used. If the artist has a portfolio or social media they wish to advertise, please include a URL and, if selected, a QR code will be printed on the label for visitors to scan. Digital images should be suitable for publication in promotional materials related to the exhibition: well-lit, well-focused, at least 300 DPI and 1200 x 1800 pixels. All entries must be submitted via CaFÉ by 9:59pm EST on March 26th, 2023.

Jurors
Entries will be reviewed by five jurors - the panel is made up of University of Florida professors and distinguished artists. The jury will select the final submission(s) to be included in the exhibition. Jurors will also judge (score) exhibited art independently for cash prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & Honorable Mention. 

Awards
In addition to selecting the exhibition artwork, jurors will award cash prizes for First Place ($650), Second Place ($350), Third Place ($150), and Honorable Mention ($50). Art will not be separated into categories for judging. The five jurors judging art will be scoring displayed works for interpretation of the theme, creativity and originality, and technical skill demonstrated.

Awards will be presented to the artists during the awards ceremony and celebration on Thursday, April 27th at the Cade Museum. Time and details (speakers, music, food/drink) will be announced closer to the event. 

Exhibition Rules
Works must be existing objects completed in the last two years. No substitutions are permitted and the jurors reserve the right not to exhibit a work if the object received is different from the one proposed with the application. Artworks should include a price or be stated as NFS (Not For Sale). All works sold during the exhibition have a 20% commission retained from the sale price. The sales process will be communicated to accepted artists. No private sales transactions are allowed. 

Artwork will be installed by PHF staff and must be available for the entire run of the exhibition. 

Upon art delivery the artist is required to sign a "Release of Liability". All accepted artwork must be delivered to a Gainesville location (time and place will be coordinated with each accepted artist). 

Two-dimensional art: The work can be framed or unframed, but MUST have hanging hardware, such as wire, D-rings, or cleats (no sawtooth hangers). 2-D works must be no larger than 50”H x 50”L x 5”D.

Three-dimensional art: All accepted 3-D artwork must be self-supporting, stable, no sharp edges, weigh less than 60 pounds, and be no larger than 90”H x 50”L x 50”D. 

Video/Multimedia Art: All accepted artwork must have all technology necessary to project/run/display and be self-supporting (including computers and monitors). Staff reserves the right to reject work that is not properly presented for installation.

Image Use / Copyright: Artists retain all copyrights to submitted images and represented artwork. Artists grant event managers rights to use the submitted image(s) on printed materials and on social media for promotional purposes only -  both prior to and following the event. Event managers retain no copyrights. 

Liability: Every care will be exercised in handling of works submitted. However, Play Hard Florida, LLC and the Cade Museum will not be responsible for loss, claims or damages resulting from exhibiting your work. Insurance is the responsibility of the artist.
 
Delivery and Return of Selected Artwork: Method of delivery and return will be the responsibility of the artist.

Delivery of Selected Art: Accepted works of art must be delivered to an announced location (Gainesville) on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday prior to the opening on Wednesday April 12th. Time blocks/location of both delivery and pick up (if not selling) will be coordinated closer to the show.

Important Dates:

March 26th, 2023 Submissions due online by 9:59pm EST
April 4th, 2023 Notification of acceptance via email
April 6th, 7th, 8th, 2023 Accepted art due for delivery
April 13th, 2023 Exhibition opens at 10:00 am
April 15th, 2023 The Water State Festival is from 12pm-6pm 
April 27th, 2023 Awards ceremony at the museum - time TBA
April 30th, 2023 Exhibition closes at 4:00pm
May 2nd, 2023 Artists and purchasers pick up pieces

Contact information:
For exhibition inquiries please contact the Art Curator - Amanda Alvarez: arts@playhardflorida.com

Application Requirements

Each entry must be completed online via CaFÉ and must include an application, a nonrefundable entry fee of $25 for the first object, and a high resolution digital image (5 max) of your original art (uploaded to CaFÉ). A second object for consideration requires a nonrefundable entry fee of $10 and a high resolution digital image (5 max). There is a limit of 2 objects submitted per artist. Works MUST pertain to the theme States of Water. Information about the objects should include artist's name, title of the work, year created, and media used. If the artist has a portfolio or social media they wish to advertise, please include a URL and, if selected, a QR code will be printed on the label for visitors to scan. Digital images should be suitable for publication in promotional materials related to the exhibition: well-lit, well-focused, at least 300 DPI and 1200 x 1800 pixels. All entries must be submitted via CaFÉ by 9:59pm EST on March 26th, 2023.

Eligibility Criteria

Established and emerging artists in the Gainesville area and in the surrounding central and north Florida areas are eligible to submit up to 2 different objects for consideration for the exhibition in line with the theme States of Water. The exhibition is open to two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of original art in most media, including painting, drawing, illustration, photography, print media, ceramic, sculpture, video and mixed media. Only entries representing completed works of art will be considered. Jurors reserve the right not to exhibit a work if the object received is different from the one proposed with the application.