"Inspired” is a collaboration between Central Washington poets and artists, produced by members of the Yakima Valley Artists Association and Yakima Coffee House Poets, and hosted by Larson Gallery. This juried exhibition will feature 25 poems accompanied by multiple artistic interpretations spanning various mediums such as painting, fiber art, collage, photography, sculpture, woodwork, and more. The exhibition’s visual art juror is Kirkland Art Center Director and former Larson Gallery Director (2012-2023) David Lynx.

In January 2024, a special collaborative committee extended a call to regional poets. From that call, the committee selected twenty-five poems to be the catalyst and inspiration for artists. "Inspired" will be a juried art exhibition featuring those selected poems accompanied by multiple artistic interpretations by artists from the same counties as the participating poets, spanning various visual mediums such as painting, fiber art, collage, photography, sculpture, woodwork, and more.

A PDF of the twenty-five poems can be downloaded here, or at https://yakimavalleyartists.com/call-to-artists.

ABOUT THE JUROR

The exhibition’s visual art juror is David Lynx. 

David Lynx is the Executive Director of Kirkland Arts Center.  He was the Director of Larson Gallery for 11 years, a curator at Yakima Valley Museum for 18 years, and 5 years as director of Sheehan Gallery at Whitman College.  He has been teaching Asian Art History and Art Appreciation at Yakima Valley College since 1996.  His own artwork has been shown in 62 solo & group exhibitions.  He as served as a juror in many exhibitions including NorthWind Art in Port Townsend, Umatilla Tribal Exhibit, and Maryhill Museum high school competition. He most recently juried the 2024 Congressional Art Competition Awards at VALA in Redmond and selected artists for the Redmond Art Festival.

Application Requirements

• Each piece of art must be original and inspired directly by one of the 25 poems. You will be asked to acknowledge that you understand this requirement, and which poem inspired each artwork. This will help the juror score categories for each of the 25 poems.
• No media restrictions (but please call or email Larson Gallery if you have questions about entering or displaying a specific medium!)
• 2D size limit: 1600 sq. in. (ex. 40"x40")
• 3D size limit: 8 cu. ft. (ex. 2'x2'x2') and nothing over 100 lb.
• Application fees are $10 per artist, and FREE for enrolled students (the application fee includes one entry); plus a $5 media fee for each additional artwork/image entered after the first. Students must enter the name of their school to be eligible for the reduced application fee.
• Artists may submit between ONE (1) to twenty (20) individual pieces/entries. Each image will be juried as an individual entry.
• Art must be wired and ready to hang/display.
• Actual work must be identical to submitted image (do not include frame or mount in photo).
• Image file type: JPEG
• Artwork in multiple units is considered a set only when priced and labeled as one piece.
• Artwork must be delivered by Sat. December 21, 2024 at 5 PM (PST). Please note the gallery is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and on Sat. Dec. 14, 2024.
• Shipping Address: 
  Larson Gallery c/o Yakima Valley College
  1107 S 16TH AVE
  YAKIMA,WA, 98902-5331
• Still have questions about eligibility or submitting your artwork? Reach out! 
  Call (509) 574-4875 (Tues.-Fri. 10am - 5pm, Sat. 12-5pm), or email your questions to gallery@yvcc.edu.

IMPORTANT DATES

11/23/24 - SUBMISSION DEADLINE (Closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time)

12/6/24 - Accept/Decline notices emailed to artists

12/21/24 | 5 PM (PST) - Deadline for art delivery (for in-person drop-offs and artwork shipped via courier)

1/11/25 - 2/22/25 - Exhibition Dates

1/11/25 | 3-5 PM - Exhibition Opening Reception 
 

Eligibility Criteria

Open to Washington State artists residing in one of the following counties:

• Benton
• Chelan
• Franklin
• Klickitat
• Kittitas
• Yakima