Sanchez Art Center and Citizen Joy are collaborating on an exhibition of art that celebrates democracy. 

Citizen Joy founder Jeff Raz describes the inspiration for the project this way: “A disheartened, divided populace cannot support a democracy.  For that, we need engaged, knowledgeable and even joyful citizens.  Artists can, and do, help build this kind of citizenry because artists know how to deal with difficult, even contentious subjects in ways that energize people and create connection." 

Inspired by the Federal Theater Project’s efforts in 1936 – when the anti-fascist play, It Can’t Happen Here, was simultaneously staged in 21 cities – Citizen Joy Celebration Day (7/27/24) activated more than 40 partners from coast to coast who presented their interpretations of Citizen Joy’s mission on a single day -- that included the opening of this Call for Entries.

Citizen Joy partners are exploring, performing, and presenting their versions of Citizen Joy, asking and answering these questions: 

●       What does your government do that brings you joy? (Gratitude)

●       What choices are you able to make that are dear to your heart? (Agency)

●       When do you feel in harmony with your fellow citizens? (Harmony)

Submissions to this Call for Entry should reflect on the same questions/theme(s).  

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

• This exhibition is a juried in-gallery show with physical works displayed in the East Gallery at Sanchez Art Center. 
• Images of the artworks juried into the exhibition will also be available for viewing anywhere there is an internet connected device via Sanchez Art Center’s virtual galleries. 
• Additionally, a 'print-on-demand' catalog will be created for the show.  

ABOUT SANCHEZ ART CENTER 

The mission of Sanchez Art Center is to create community through art. Established in 1996 when artists and community members converted an old elementary school into a multi-use complex, Sanchez Art Center offers a comfortable and welcoming place for the community to come together, engage and be enriched by the arts. Today the Pacifica Center for the Arts overall campus includes three (3) galleries, studio space for over 30 visual artists, the Mary Harris Arts Education Room, and the Mildred Owen Concert Hall.

Sanchez Art Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, provides free exhibitions and talks by emerging and established west coast artists, education and engagement designed to make art accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and affordable art studios for San Francisco Bay Area artists.

http://www.sanchezartcenter.org/

ABOUT CITIZEN JOY 

Citizen Joy is a national coalition of artists, arts organizations, and educators from all disciplines using art to cut through the doom and gloom about politics and energize people to do what they can to protect democratic rights and freedoms.

Inspired by the Federal Theater Project’s efforts in 1936 – when the anti-fascist play, It Can’t Happen Here, was simultaneously staged in 21 cities – the Citizen Joy Celebration Day (7/27/24) activated more than 40 partners from coast to coast who presented their interpretations of Citizen Joy’s mission on a single day -- that included the opening of this Call for Entries -- and are continuing to offer inspiration, information, and community, tapping the arts to build community bonds and nurture all creative expression that celebrates democracy.  

Citizen Joy partners are creating projects that range from play readings to parades as well as on-line and in-gallery art exhibitions, and will include facilitated conversations paired with circus acts, and a performance by the top college basketball pep band.

Following the July 27th Celebration Day, Citizen Joy is phase two of the project –“Making Democracy Work for Us” – which will use these same three questions in community, family, and school programs as well as get out the vote efforts.

A sampling of the 40-plus participating partners with Citizen Joy includes the African-American Shakespeare Festival, George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Circus Bella, Dell’Arte International, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Sanchez Art Center, Arcata Playhouse, Oakland School for the Arts, and LABA: A Laboratory for Jewish Culture.

Transforming artistic energy into civic participation, Citizen Joy is also collaborating with Activate America and All Rise Alameda to offer audience members a host of ways to get involved in voting and exercising their rights as citizens.

https://citizenjoy.org/

ABOUT THE JUROR
Jeff Raz is the founder of Citizen Joy, coordinating a nation-wide network of visual and performing artists with the aim of interpreting the themes of gratitude, agency and harmony through art. 

Jeff has performed nationally and internationally for decades, starring in circuses, including Cirque du Soleil and the Pickle Family Circus, and as an actor in theaters from Berkeley Rep to Broadway. Jeff’s three novels, The Circus Trilogy, and his upcoming non-fiction book An International Circus Affair, are inspired by his career. He is a graduate of Dell’Arte International, where he has also taught, and was the co-founder of Vaudeville Nouveau, The Clown Conservatory and the Medical Clown Project. In addition, he has written twenty plays, directed dozens of circus, dance, puppet, and theater productions and worked globally as a communications consultant.

ABOUT THE CURATORS
Citizen Joy:  A Celebration of Democracy will be co-curated by Barbara Kibbe and the Sanchez East Gallery Committee (SAC studio artists and staff).  Barbara is a painter, printmaker, quilt artist and occasional curator.  She served as co-curator of two currently touring exhibitions:
Prism Play:  A Full Spectrum of Art Quilts, and,
Printed & Stitched:  Examining the Overlap Between the Hand Pulled Print and the Art Quilt.  

Application Requirements

The exhibition can accommodate both 2D and 3D work as well as some video presentations.

An artist statement reflecting on the three questions themes noted above, for each submitted work is part of the application and jurying process.  

There are no restrictions on the publication of artwork prior to submission. Artists are encouraged to display and discuss the progress of their work on the social media platforms of their choice.

Eligibility Criteria

Submissions to Citizen Joy: a Celebration of Democracy are open to all California visual artists age 18 and older.  

Artists will be notified of juror results by Tues, Nov 12, 2024.  
Artists will be asked to confirm acceptance into the exhibition by Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024