PROUD+ PROSPECTUS 

PROUD+ is the seventh national exhibition of LGBTQIA+ visual arts running from July 2 - Aug 3, 2024 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 

July 2 - Aug 3, 2024

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

PUBLIC RECEPTION 

A public reception is scheduled for  Saturday, July 13, 2024  -  6 PM - 9 PM.  

Additionally, the gallery will have extended hours on July 4, 2024 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.

At the time of this call, San Diego Pride weekend is scheduled for July 19 - 21.  One of the largest pride celebrations in the country brings locals and tourists to our Hillcrest “gayborhood.”

JUROR

Juror: Michael Swank, Director of Exhibition and Residency at Art Gallery Studios (Mexico City, Mexico), producer of Bureau of Queer Artists.

Michael Swank, a distinguished artist and educator, graduated with a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1998. As a seasoned Art Director for organizations like San Francisco Examiner and Disney, he consistently connected with the education community and mentored emerging talent. Transitioning to teaching full-time in 2001, Swank earned a Master's in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University in 2006. Holding leadership roles at various Art Institutes, he later ventured into international lecturing in Mexico and China. In 2018, Swank moved his art studio, @ChromaticExplorer, to Mexico City in 2018. In 2019, he founded @ProyectosDeResidenciaMX, fostering a community for queer artists. Actively evolving his practice, Swank exhibits globally and curates exhibitions focused on queer voices.

Past curators of the PROUD+ series have included:

• 2023 - Jonathan D. Katz, Prestigious LGBT Art Historian and International Curator
• 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 2, 2024. 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, 2024, please check your email spam folder and contact The Studio Door. 

SHIPPING OF ARTWORK 

All shipped artwork must be received no later than June 21, 2024. Shipped works will be shipped out of The Studio Door on August 17, 2024. 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 22 (11 AM – 5 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 Saturday, August 3, 2024 during gallery hours at the end of the day (4 - 5 PM) or Tuesday, August 6, 2024 (11 AM - 5 PM).

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)

    •    12/06/23        Call for Artists – Start Date

    •    05/28/24        10:59 PST • Call for Artists – Closing of Call

    •    06/02/24        Artists Notification Date

    •    06/21/24       Final Receive Date for Shipping

    •    06/22/24        Drop Off Artwork (local):  11 AM – 5 PM

    •    07/02/24        Show Opens to the Public

    •    07/04/24        Extended Hours First Thursdays Walk in Art until 9 PM

    •    07/13/24        Artist Reception: 6 - 9 PM

    •    07/19-21/24   San Diego Pride Weekend

     •    08/03/24        Show Closes

     •    08/03/24        Artwork Pick Up Date I: 4 PM - 5 PM

     •    08/06/24        Artwork Pick Up Date II:  11 AM - 5 PM

    •    08/07/24        Artwork Shipping Date

    •    09/03/24        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, 2024  - 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, and sculpture.  Please note some restrictions apply to glass, stain glass, ceramics and stoneware.  Oversized jewelry that can be defined as fine art is acceptable for this show.

This exhibition no longer excepts shipments of glass, stain glass, ceramics or stoneware due to the amount of damage caused by shipping services.  Hand delivered artworks in these media are acceptable.  

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.