OPEN CALL Museum Exhibition: The Artist Mentor Project sponsored by the Negri Foundation invites artists of contemporary arts and fine crafts to submit their most compelling narrative work  to be exhibited at the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center in southern San Diego, CA during November, 2023.  

Narrative art is a powerful means to explore and express aspects of the human condition. A well-crafted narrative can transport us to another time and place, entertain, educate, and inspire or help us to view the world in a new way, reminding us of our shared humanity and the beauty of the world around us. 

Suggested themes are Folklore, Fakelore or Personal Myth. It is open to interpretation.  It may include realism, abstraction or a hybrid.

Suggestions:  Artwork may be obvious or unclear, fanciful or serious, conceptual or an interpretation.  It may describe personal, cultural or invented story; it may be conceived through a personal or a cultural event, folklore, fakelore or myth. You may describe an actual historical event or an imagined continuation of such an event or tradition.

Other possible areas for inspiration:  Popular beliefs, folk religion, material culture, vernacular language, sayings, proverbs, nursery rhymes, children’s folklore, folk medicine, plantlore or weather lore.

AMP is very honored to present PATRICK ELA as juror.

JUROR:  PATRICK ELA

PATRICK ELA is a former museum director, public art consultant, and appraiser of fine art accredited by the American Society of Appraisers.

MR. PATRICK ELA began his impressive career in his early 20’s.  First working s curator for the innovative Los Angeles based lithographic/printmaking publishing house, GEMINI, where he was   personally worked alongside “invited artists” such as Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg.  These “artist invitations” to work at GEMINI directly in process alongside Ela and staff were eagerly sought after.  Many of these artists became personal friends of his.

After he left GEMINI, he became an Educator for LACMA.

Next he become the Director of Los Angeles’ CAFAM (Craft and Folk Art Museum, currently Los Angeles Craft Contemporary) for 25 years where he curated many exhibitions among other responsibilities.

Since retiring he is currently Personal Property Governor for the American Society of Appraisers.

ACCEPTED ART:  It is estimated that 40 paintings and 20 sculptures may be selected depending on size and juried results.

RECEPTION:  The Artist RECEPTION is free to attend, includes Award Announcement, light refreshments.

When: Saturday, November 11, 4:30 pm - 6:30 p.m.,

Where: Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, 4355 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA. 91902, (619) 267-5141, website: www.bonitahistoricalsociety.org

Museum Visiting hours:  Wed.-Sat. 10 am - 4pm.

Admission is free, tickets at www.bonitahistoricalsociety.org

Sales:  Sales will be handled by the Bonita Historical Society (BHS).  BHS is nonprofit and will take a commission of 20 %.  Artwork sold during the exhibition will be released on the last day of the exhibition.You may enter work NFS at your discretion.

Application Requirements

LEGAL TERMS: Entry into this show is a commitment to participate and signifies full acceptance by the artist of the rules and guidelines of this exhibition. Works selected cannot be substituted and must be available for the duration of the show. 

         SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 9/24/23, Midnight (MT)

All work must be hang ready with D-rings and wire.   All framed paintings requiring glass must use plexiglass instead.   Mailed in work must be insured and properly packaged with return postage paid.

SHIPPING AND DELIVERY:  Participating artists are responsible for all costs related to shipping, delivery, and return of works. Unless hand-delivered, works must be carefully packed and shipped in a reusable box, container or crate, including packing materials and return postage.  Works should be shipped to arrive only during the “Receipt of Works” window unless otherwise arranged and must be shipped to the Museum.  All Works will be returned in original packing materials.  Abandoned work will become the property of the Museum and will be donated to charity or repurposed.  Failure to provide paid return postage will also result in the work being deemed abandoned. Must have self- addressed return labels, (artwork will be returned in its same container or shipping box).

SHIPMENTS MUST ARRIVE no later than October 27, 2023 at the a Museum.

IN PERSON DROP-OFF: At the MUSEUM October 26, 27, 28; 10 am- 3pm (artists to sign contracts at this time)

PICK UP:  All hand-deliveries must be picked up in person Dec. 6 & 7 or by appointment, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Abandoned work will become the property of the Gallery and will be donated to charity or repurposed. Failure to provide paid return postage will also result in the work being deemed abandoned.

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY:   OPEN to Artists living in USA and Baja, MX.  All art forms (2d, 3d and contemporary crafts) are welcome, except film.  All artwork must be original and created within the last three years.   Must be 18 years old or older.