GALEX is the combination of the words Galesburg and Exhibition. What began as a regional competition has grown into a national competition/exhibition celebrating its 56th year.  Open to artists working in all mediums, this year's juror, Claire Ashley, will award over $2,500 in prizes choosing over 75 works for the exhibition. DEADLINE: February 7, 2023 at 11:59pm

ELIGIBILITY
• GALEX is open to all artists residing in the United States.
• All work must have been completed within the last three years and MUST NOT have been previously shown in Galesburg Community Arts Center galleries or gift shop.
• Art must be the original work of the artist.
• All mediums are accepted; however, work is not to exceed 100 pounds or be unstable.
• Two-dimensional work may not exceed five feet in either length or width, and must be wired and ready to hang. Plexiglas is preferred for framed work.
• No work will be suspended from the ceiling.
• One entry (up to three pieces) per artist.

JUROR
Claire Ashley is a Scottish-born, Chicago-based artist who received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL), and her BFA from Gray’s School of Art (Aberdeen, Scotland). Currently, she teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Department of Contemporary Practices, and the Department of Painting and Drawing.

Ashley’s own work investigates inflatables as painting, sculpture, installation and performance costume. These works have been exhibited nationally and internationally in galleries, museums, and site-specific installations, performances and collaborations.

She has been featured on blogs such as VICE, Hyperallergic, and Artforum, and in magazines such as Sculpture Magazine, Art Papers, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Time Out Chicago, Yorkshire Post, and Condé Nast Traveller (European).

Claire Ashley: “I’m looking for work that has personality. That attribute might be embodied formally, materially, or conceptually in the work - through humor, double entendre, irreverence, symbol, image, pattern, color, text, texture, bling, etc..”

AWARDS
Blick Art Materials Purchase Award $1000
One piece is chosen each year to expand the Art Center’s Permanent Collection. The artwork is not returned to the artist, $1000 is awarded regardless of the price of the piece.  It is optional to be considered, please indicate eligibility on your application, and the identification form that is sent with your piece.

Lonnie Eugene Stewart Award of Excellence $600
Merit Award $400
Medallion Award $300
Kent Leasure Memorial Fine Print Award $100
Robert Reed Memorial Sculpture Award $150

ENTRY FEE
The non-refundable entry fee is $25 per artist, or $20 for current members of the Galesburg Community Arts Center (use coupon code: MBR2023) Renew your membership or become a new member now!

IMPORTANT DATES
February 7 ........................................ entry deadline
February 25 ............................... notifications sent
March 18 ..............................artwork due by noon
April 1 .......................exhibition opens
May 5 ......................................exhibition closes
May 6-8 .... artwork to be picked up or shipped via prepaid return label

ACCEPTED DELIVERY/RETURN OF ARTWORK
Artists are responsible for the cost of ALL shipping. The Arts Center prefers the use of a prepaid return shipping label sent with the piece for return shipping. All shipped works will be returned in original containers with original packing.

Accepted works may be hand-delivered or shipped to the Galesburg Community Arts Center.  Attach identification (emailed with notifications) to the back of your work listing artist name and address, title of piece, medium, price and indicated “top” as well as eligibility status for the Blick Art Materials Purchase Award.

If selected, instructions for shipping and picking up or returning artwork will be sent to the artist during the notification process.

Art Center hours are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm
Telephone: 309.342.7415, email: exhibition@galesburgarts.org

Application Requirements

One entry (up to three pieces) per artist. In the case of 3dimensional work, additional images may be submitted to exhibition@galesburgarts.org - label image file ARTIST NAME_Nameofartwork

Eligibility Criteria

• GALEX is open to all artists residing in the United States.
• All work must have been completed within the last three years and MUST NOT have been previously shown in Galesburg Community Arts Center galleries or gift shop.
• Art must be the original work of the artist.
• All mediums are accepted; however, work is not to exceed 100 pounds or be unstable.
• Two-dimensional work may not exceed five feet in either length or width, and must be wired and ready to hang. Plexiglas is preferred for framed work.
• No work will be suspended from the ceiling.
• One entry (up to three pieces) per artist.