CLARK COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS TOUR

WHO
Visual artists and artisans in Clark County, working in all media

WHAT
Clark County Open Studios is a juried art event, offering a unique opportunity for you to gain further recognition as an artist, open your studio doors to the public, and show and sell your work. For the community, Open Studios is a free self-guided tour that will enhance awareness of talented local artists while enriching the cultural life of Clark County neighborhoods.

WHEN
Open Studios tour: Sat-Sun, NOVEMBER 4-5, 2023, 10 am to 5 pm

Preview exhibit: First Friday NOVEMBER 3, 2023 
Art at the CAVE Gallery, 108 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660
 
ARTIST BENEFITS

• NEW this year: Access to five Professional Development workshops through our partnership with PDXOS Artists Academy!
• Expand your audience by sharing where and how you work.
• Take advantage of an opportunity to sell your work to the public. All proceeds from studio sales go to the artists unless your gallery contract specifies otherwise.
• Gain exposure through Open Studios’ print, web, and social media marketing—including postcards, local and regional advertising, yard signs, and a full-color printed tour guide.
• An artist directory will be published on the Open Studios website, including 5 images, an artist statement, studio location, and contact information.
• The preview Exhibit and artists' reception will feature one work of art from each participant. The hosting gallery will receive a 50% commission on sales during the preview.
• Networking opportunities; meet and work with other local artists.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Open Studios goes beyond the traditional art show in fostering a greater understanding of the artistic process by providing the public with an opportunity to enter the world of the visual artist and experience how, why, and where art is created. The Open Studios tour is designed to support key goals for Clark County’s arts community:

• Increase visibility and public awareness of practicing and accomplished creative artists in Clark County.
• Bring arts education and cultural enrichment to Clark County neighborhoods.
• Expand opportunity and accessibility for residents of all ages to experience art.
• Develop the county's cultural climate, enhance its image, and support the growth of the local economy through the arts.

JURY PROCESS, ACCEPTANCE, AND PARTICIPATION FEE

Clark County Open Studios will showcase art in a broad range of media and styles. The event contributes to public awareness of the quality and diversity of artists in our community. Because of the increasing number of applicants, jurying is competitive and there is strict enforcement of the guidelines. Participation is intended for professional artists who are actively producing and exhibiting their work. Application material will not be judged on personal tastes or preferences.

2023 JURORS

Mark Tindle is the newly appointed Portland Art Museum’s Rental Sales Gallery Manager, directing a roster of over 250 artists. Before moving to Portland, Mark worked in the UK in curatorial, collections management, project management, marketing, and museum management.

Mike Baggetta is a contemporary Fine Artist, living in Silverton, Oregon, and has been the Creative Director of Art in the Pearl for over 20 years. Mike studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena CA. His abstract paintings can be found in several galleries around the region as well as notable collections. 

Lisa Conway is a Professor of Art and Head of the Ceramics at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. She received her MFA in Ceramics from Louisiana State University and her BFA in Ceramics from the University of Michigan. Her resume includes numerous artist residency programs, grants, exhibits, and collections around the country.

JUDGING CRITERIA

After your non-refundable $25 application fee is received and your application has demonstrated that you meet studio eligibility requirements and art guidelines, the jury will view and score your submitted images using these criteria:

• Originality/Creativity: Does the artist’s work express a unique style/voice and vision?
• Craftsmanship/Use of Materials or Media: Does the artist’s work show mastery over his/her medium or innovative use of materials/media?

ACCEPTANCE

Artists who are accepted will receive an acceptance letter by June 7th.

A PARTICIPATION FEE OF $150 will be required to confirm your participation, paid through your CaFE account, DUE by June 10th.

Upon acceptance, you will have access to our Artist Login page with Open Studios tour essentials to help guide you with studio preparation, marketing plans, and a timeline of events.

While Artstra provides administrative event planning, marketing, and promotional support for participating artists, be aware that your active involvement and volunteer work by participating artists will be essential in making this a successful event. 

Application Requirements

HOW TO APPLY 

YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE. Have your information and files available prior to filling out the online form.

• Prepare FIVE DIGITAL IMAGES. ( 4 IMAGES of your artwork created in the last three years, and 1 STUDIO IMAGE showing multiple works). These images will be the images used for marketing promotion. 
  • NOTE: the CaFE system will not take photos without adding a price so be sure to add a $1.00 figure in the price box of your studio photo.
• Write a BRIEF artist statement (1000 Characters, approximately 150 words) describing your creative process and inspiration. This statement will be used for the online guide.
• Fill out and submit the online CaFE application and pay the $25 application fee.

Eligibility Criteria

STUDIO ELIGIBILITY

Participating artists MUST have a regular, ongoing studio workspace for creating art located within Clark County, Washington.

• Open Studios was created to offer the public an opportunity to be invited into the working spaces of Clark County's artistic community and to have an authentic experience visiting a working artist. It is not intended for temporary set-ups in businesses or pop-up spaces.
• The studio must retain the atmosphere of an active workspace, with materials, equipment, and work-in-progress visible.
• Artists must agree to not exhibit, sell or host non-participating artists in the space over which they have interest or control. Artists working in cluster studios should encourage their fellow artists to apply. Artists who are not officially participating in Open Studios are asked not to represent themselves in any way as Open Studios artists.

ART GUIDELINES

Clark County Open Studios is open to a wide range of visual media including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, wood, metal, glass, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, digital art, and printmaking. Art displayed in Open Studios must adhere to these guidelines;

• During Open Studios, participating artists must exhibit a minimum of 15 pieces of original art, created within the last three years.
• Reproductions are limited to 20% of an artist’s Open Studios display space and must be clearly labeled as reproductions.

New! CHRISTINE RICE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 

In remembrance of Open Studio Artist Christine Rice, created to support young artists on their career paths. 

• For emerging artists ages 20-30.
• Scholarship award in the amount of $500-$1000
• Mentorship from seasoned Open Studios Artists.
• Option to be hosted in another artist’s studio.
• Access to Five Professional Development workshops.
• Award is chosen on merit, the highest jurors’ scores.

Thank you to her family and friends that made this scholarship possible.

QUESTIONS

Any questions or concerns regarding eligibility and participation guidelines please contact Jennifer Williams, Clark County Open Studios director, before applying.