Water is the essence of life, captivating with its beauty and vital for our existence. Fluid Realities invites artists to delve into the multifaceted nature of water, examining its aesthetic allure, our profound relationship with it, and the myriad challenges it confronts. This exhibit seeks to showcase diverse perspectives on water's significance, from its serene and mesmerizing qualities to the pressing environmental threats it faces due to human activity. Through various mediums, artists are encouraged to highlight the delicate balance between water's inherent beauty and its vulnerability, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of this precious resource.

About Metro Art Studios:

Metro Art Studios is a non-profit arts organization located in the South End of Bridgeport, CT. The three-story renovated corset factory houses 38 loft studios for professional musicians and visual artists, as well as Crown Gallery, a large for-profit gallery space on the ground floor. Crown Gallery hosts 6-7 exhibitions a year, a mix of juried and invitational curated shows. Metro supports local, regional, and national artists with professional development workshops and panels, and provides inclusive cultural experiences and diverse opportunities to the Greater Bridgeport area and beyond. 

About the Juror:

ALEX BACON is a Curatorial Associate at the Princeton University Art Museum. He is an art historian based in New York City who regularly writes criticism and organizes exhibitions of both contemporary and historical art. He has written for numerous publications, including Artforum.com, Art in America, the Brooklyn Rail, Mousse, and Rhizome. He has taught at the School of Visual Arts, and served as a guest critic in the graduate painting departments of the Rhode Island School of Design and AKV/St. Joost. He has spoken at various institutions, including Harvard; the ICA, London; The New Museum; and the Museum für Moderne Kunst, Frankfurt. He is currently completing his PhD in art history at Princeton, with a dissertation on the first decade of Frank Stella’s career.

Calendar:

Entries Due: July 10

Notification: July 19

Drop Off or Ship to Arrive By: August 5

Dates of Show: August 11 to September 21, 2024

Opening Reception: Sunday, August 11, 1 - 3 PM

Delivery of Accepted Work: Shipped work must arrive at Metro Art Studios no later than August 5, 2024. Artists are responsible for paying shipping costs, including any insurance, with the carrier of their choice to and from Metro Art Studios. Reusable packing materials will be retained by Metro Art Studios for return shipping. Metro Art Studios will not be responsible for damage due to incorrect packing materials or insufficient container when returning artwork as it was originally shipped. Artists must provide a pre-paid shipping label for return of artwork.

Drop off of Accepted Work: For local artists, accepted works can be dropped off in person at Metro Art Studio on August 5 from 1-4 pm, unless other arrangements are made in advance in writing.

Sales:

A commission of 40% will be retained by Metro Art Studios on all sales. A sale or retail price must be indicated for all work. Artists will be paid for works sold within 30 days after the closing date of the exhibition and the collection of the sales proceeds.

Questions:

Please contact us with any questions. Jane Davila, Executive Director, Metro Art Studios & Crown Gallery, jane@metroartstudios.org 

Application Requirements

Entry Requirements:

Artists must enter online at callforentry.org. One $35 entry fee covers up to three entries. One image must be submitted for each entry. Entry fees are non-refundable. Metro Art Studios reserves the right to refuse a work which has been significantly misrepresented by its entry.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:

All artists aged 18 years and older may apply. Open to work in any medium except video and sound. We do not have the capability at this time to include these mediums. Entries must be original, entirely the work of the entrant, and made without the supervision of an instructor. Copies of existing artworks or those based on copyrighted artworks by others are not eligible. 

There is no maximum or minimum size for submitted work, although it must fit through a standard doorway. 20” x 20” x 36” pedestals are available. If selected, work must arrive ready for hanging or display. Framed works will only be accepted with plexiglass - absolutely no glass. It is highly encouraged that work be for sale. 

Early pick up of accepted artwork is not permitted. Work purchased during the exhibit must remain on exhibit until the end of the show. Metro Art Studios reserves the right to refuse to hang or display any accepted work with insufficient hanging hardware, at its discretion.