PROUD+ PROSPECTUS 

PROUD+ is the sixth national exhibition of LGBTQIA+ visual arts running from June 29 - July 29, 2023 at The Studio Door (San Diego, CA).  

This exhibition had become a San Diego tradition bringing artists from across the nation to celebrate  during San Diego Pride Month in July.  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other related community artists (LGBTQIA+) are encouraged to present contemporary works that celebrate the unique sense of pride that this diverse community has.  The Studio Door is seeking artwork that expresses authentic, diverse viewpoints from the LGBTQIA+ experience.  Show us what your Pride looks like. 

You can review past exhibition catalogs online at: https://thestudiodoor.com/proud-exhibitions

EXHIBITION DATES 

June 29 - July 29, 2023

Artwork, including items sold, must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show.

PUBLIC RECEPTION 

A public reception is scheduled for  Saturday, July 8, 2023  -  6 PM - 9 PM.  

[Additionally, the gallery will have extended hours on July 6, 2023 for the monthly First Thursday Walk in ART, which is an event that takes place after dark in Mural Alley directly behind the gallery.  Live music, bar, food and vendors fill the alley.

San Diego Pride weekend is July 14 - 16.  One of the largest pride celebrations in the country brings locals and tourists to our Hillcrest gayborhood.]

JUROR

Juror: Jonathan D. Katz, Associate Professor of Practice, History of Art and Gender and Women’s Studies at University of Pennsylvania

Katz is known as the curator of a number of important national and international Queer exhibitions including Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture at the Smithsonian; Art AIDS America, showcasing the deep and unforgettable presence of HIV in America; and the current two-part exhibition The First Homosexuals: Global Depictions of a New Identity, 1869-1930 at Wrightwood 659 gallery in Chicago.

Past curators of the PROUD+ series have included:

• 2022 - Alyssa Nitchun, Executive Director of Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, NYC
• 2021 - Alexis Bard Johnson, PhD • Curator, ONE Archives at the USC Libraries
• 2020 - Hunter O'Hanian, Director of Stonewall National Museum & Archives - Florida

BEST IN SHOW

A Juror's Award certificate and a check for $100 will be presented to three artists for artworks that express the most imaginative interpretation of the theme.  Exhibition catalogs will be available online and print-on-demand.

GALLERY & ON-LINE GALLERY 

There are two opportunities to get into this show. The juror will select works that will be exhibited at The Studio Door gallery in San Diego. Additionally, the juror will select works that will be shown in the on-line gallery only. This allows for more works to be seen beyond the limitations of the main gallery.  You have the option to declare “in gallery”, “on-line gallery” or both during the application process.  All accepted works regardless of “in gallery” or “online gallery” are eligible for Best in Show.

CATALOG 

All artwork selected, both gallery and online, will be included in the national exhibition catalog.

USE OF IMAGERY

If your artwork is selected for either the gallery or online exhibition, Artist grants The Studio Door permission to photograph selected artwork.  The Studio Door reserves the right to use art images for marketing and publicity without compensation.

ARTWORK PRESENTATION 

2-D artwork must arrive 'gallery ready' and 'ready to hang' and be presented professionally. Preferably, framed artwork should be in black wood or natural wood frame. 

Due to problems with shipping 2-D artwork, no glass - plexi only. 

CAFÉ ™ SUBMISSION PROCESS

All submissions for this show are handled through CAFÉ ™ (Callforentry.org).  Artists are required to sign up and create a profile on CAFÉ ™.  There is no charge for using this service.

IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS 

CAFÉ ™ provides 5 MB for the artist profile.  Image may be 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side. Anything larger will be resized.  Image may be JPG or JPEG only. Artist will upload images and information directly to their profile and reference when filling out the official call for submission.  

If you have problems uploading images, contact CAFÉ ™ directly. FYI, the most common problem is that the system will not accept images that are too small.

NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS 

Artists will be notified by June 3, 2023. All artists who have submitted artwork will be notified by email. You may receive multiple notifications for acceptance into The Studio Door exhibition and on-line gallery. You will receive notification even if no artwork has been selected. If you do not receive notice by June 4, 2023, please check your email spam folder and contact The Studio Door. 

SHIPPING OF ARTWORK 

All shipped artwork must be received no later than June 23, 2023. Shipped works will be shipped out of The Studio Door on August 2, 2023. 2-D work must be sent in reusable packaging with NO styrofoam packing peanuts. Glass or ceramic sculptures and other fragile works must be double-boxed and sufficiently padded to prevent damage in transit. The Studio Door is NOT responsible for damage caused in transit. Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping and arranging prepaid shipping labels with either UPS or FedEx. It is mandatory to include prepaid shipping labels with your artwork or to make the necessary arrangements with The Studio Door before the exhibition or your work will not be exhibited. 

HAND-DELIVERY OF ARTWORK 

During weekend gallery hours on Saturday, June 24 (Noon – 6 PM) or by earlier appointment.  Large works or small installations should be scheduled as to not interfere with other exhibitions.

If your artwork is accepted for the on-line gallery ONLY, you do NOT need to deliver your artwork.

PICK-UP OF ARTWORK 

Artwork may be picked up Tuesday, August 1, 2023 (Noon – 6 PM) during gallery hours.

Artwork left behind may be subject to a late fee of $50 per day and/or discarded by The Studio Door.

SALES OF ART 

50% of the sale will go to the artists and 50% of the sale will go to the Studio Door. Items sold must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show. The Studio Door will mail a check to the artist for any sold artwork within 30 days after the close of the show. 

PRICING CONSIDERATION

Artists are encouraged to consider price points when they apply for The Studio Door exhibitions.  Based upon past experience, art sales in Southern California remain strongest under $2,500 with $500 being the average first time patron purchase.

ABOUT THE STUDIO DOOR

San Diego's premier art gallery is a unique art center located just minutes from downtown San Diego and Balboa Park. Since 2014, it has become known for its gallery of contemporary art, working artist studios, community events and the neighborhood’s expanding Mural Alley. It is a great destination for locals, tourist and art lovers. For more details visit the website at www.thestudiodoor.com

IMPORTANT DATES (SUMMARY)

    •    11/30/22        Call for Artists – Start Date

    •    05/30/23        10:59 PST • Call for Artists – Closing of Call

    •    06/03/23        Artists Notification Date

    •    06/23/23       Final Receive Date for Shipping

    •    06/24/23        Drop Off Artwork (local):  Noon – 7 PM

    •    06/29/23        Show Opens to the Public

    •    07/06/23        First Thursdays Walk in Art:  6 - 9 PM

    •    07/08/23        Artist Reception: 6 - 9 PM

    •    07/14-16/23   San Diego Pride Weekend

    •    07/29/23        Show Closes

    •    08/01/23        Artwork Pick Up Date

    •    08/02/23        Artwork Shipping Date

    •    08/31/23        Artist Commission Checks Deadline

QUESTIONS?

Email: forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com

If you would like to support this exhibition with a donation, or fund an award, please contact The Studio Door.  Please help get the word out about the show by encouraging your fellow artists to enter.

Visit THE STUDIO DOOR @ www.TheStudioDoor.com

    •    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestudiodoor

    •    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiodoor

Application Requirements

NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE 

An entry consists of one to three submissions of images. Payment of $35 per initial entry and $5 for per additional media. [1 work of art = $35; 2 works = $40; or 3 works = $45]. Payments are processed through CAFÉ ™. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  

May 30, 2023  - 10:59 PM PST 

Complete information including images of artwork must be submitted online with CAFÉ ™ before 10:59 PM PST to be considered by juror (Check your watch, that’s 1:59 AM EST and 11:59 PM MST).

ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE 

2-Dimensional Work: Height 7.5 feet, Width 4 feet - including frame 

3-Dimensional Work: Sculptural and small installation work is encouraged.  Works must be able to fit through an average doorway and not exceed 8’ in height.  If you are unsure if your work is size acceptable, please contact The Studio Door at forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com. 

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY 

Visual Artists

Note: PROUD+ is conceived as a national show (USA). Due to the costs of shipping and potential customs issues, International artists are welcome to participate exclusively in the online portion of the exhibition.  Sales will be handled through The Studio Door, who will work with artists to determine cost of shipping.  Those costs will be paid for by the patron.

Though the show was originally conceived as "by and for the LGBTQIA community" exclusively, The Studio Door recognizes how important it is to include our allies to build an inclusive society for LGBTQIA diversity.  We welcome our greater community of artists to participate.

CATEGORIES ACCEPTED 

Fine Art: Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, artist book, ceramics, stoneware, stain glass and sculpture.  Oversized jewelry that can be defined as fine art is acceptable for this show.

This exhibition does not accept performance art. 

Video, film, installation and works requiring an external electrical source require gallery approval.  If you want to be considered, please contact The Studio Door at forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com before submitting to this call for artists.

Submissions must be the artist’s original work.

All artwork must be available for sale.