There is a story, not sufficiently touted, of artists finding their best creative energy as they enter their senior years. Arguably, Louise Bourgeois created her best works, her spiders and cells, well into her 80’s, after leaving behind the totemic works that so mimicked her male counterparts.   Is it the freedom offered by a lifetime of observation and integration of the interior psyche with outer data?  Is it the freedom that age offers to be introspective, to not bow to external critique and judgement?

 HVMOCA is an institution first to show over a hundred artists who then came to renown  mostly younger artists.

But it has also taken great pride in  championing the work of artists who came to the fore much later, such as Phyllida Barlow, hitting her stride in her late 60’s.

 Now, in its 5th Annual Juried Exhibition, HVMOCA seeks to feature works by artists 62 and older, culled from an open RFP on CAFE, and placed within the context of art history.  We are especially interested in the works by artists who reached their prime in their more advanced years.

 Consider Georgia O’Keefe, dubbed the Mother of American Modernism, looked to the beauty of a blossom, to a desert for inspiration, Joan Jonas, still going strong at 88 with her pioneering performance and video works, Roz Schneider who at 91 gave her last lecture and presentation here at Hudson Valley MOCA, speaking to her nature based films and paintings.

 I recall that one event where Stanley Kunitz, Age 97, read a poem of a slap from his father, felt 60 years later, and Aaron Birnbaum, tailor turned artist, age 102, at his first museum exhibition at the Aldridge Museum.

 And now you!!!

 As artists, how can you address this overarching topic, bring attention to the varied innuendos, personal, political, real and imagined?  It can be through painting, installation, and photography, whatever your choice of platform

We look forward to hearing from you and to launching an exhibition that touches all.

 So You Think You Are Too Old to… artwork from the Hudson Valley MOCA’s forth Juried exhibition will also be the inspiration for 2025 Writing the Walls performances in the Studio Theater in Exile Black Box Theater at Hudson Valley MOCA, now in its 19th year. We look forward to hearing from you.

RECOGNITION: 
Viewer's Choice from an in-person visit will recognize the top three works. An Artist’s Membership will be awarded to them.

Application Requirements

Name, address, website, e-mail, mobile

$50.00 per HVMOCA Artist Member application
$75 per non-member application

Artist statement

Up to 5 images

Applications through CaFE only. NO mail-in applications

DATES:

Submission Deadline: Dec. 6

Notification to artists: January 6 (both accepted and declined)

Opening Reception: February 1, 2025

Exhibition Dates:  February 1 - May 3, 2025.

GUIDELINES FOR ARTWORK:

Up to five works per artist may be submitted.

All two-dimensional work must be framed and/or ready for installation with hanging hardware, wire, or d-rings already installed on work, and the entire work must not exceed 84 inches in any dimension. The work cannot exceed 75 pounds. Pieces without hanging hardware will not be included in the exhibition.
Three-dimensional work cannot exceed 84 inches in any dimension and should be accompanied by a pedestal/or be ready for display as a freestanding or self-containing work. The work cannot exceed 100 lbs.

All work requiring assembly or any work with a complex installation procedure must be accompanied by a detailed set of installation instructions with reference photos from previous installations. Verbal instructions will not suffice.

Hudson Valley MOCA prohibits glitter, wet paint, sharp objects, open flames, balloons, spray (perfumes, hairsprays, etc), dangerous chemicals, weapons, pressurized containers, plants or animals (alive or dead), hazardous materials (explosive, flammable, or perishable), decaying materials (visible mold or insect infestation), or anything deemed harmful to the Museum’s collection. Anything of question should be cleared by contacting: admin@hudsonvalleymoca.org.

SELECTED WORKS: Selected works must be delivered ready to hang/display. Artworks considered unsuitable for hanging/presentation will be refused. Curatorial staff reserves the right to refuse an artwork that is misrepresented through documentation or is not the piece selected by the juror.

SHIPPED ARTWORK:  The deadline for receipt of shipped artwork is between January 16 and 20, 2025. If work is not at Hudson Valley MOCA by January 20, 2025, we reserve the right to not include it in the exhibition. Any artwork being shipped must include return postage/shipping fee that must be received before the end of the exhibition (May 3, 2025). In the case of inadequate or nonexistent return postage and non-communication from the artist works will be considered abandoned property and disposed of as Hudson Valley MOCA sees fit. All artwork should be packaged in a manner that will allow for the materials to be re-used for return shipping. Otherwise please include materials for return packaging. Please do not ship artwork with packing peanuts. Works should be shipped via FEDEX (mark hold for pickup) and ship to Jo-Ann Brody, Hudson Valley MOCA care of Walgreens, 1201 Main Street, Peekskill NY 10566; UPS (mark hold for pickup) and ship to Jo-Ann Brody,  HVMOCA care of Advance Auto Parts, 1833 Main St, Peekskill, NY 10566; USPS, PO Box 209, Peekskill NY 10566. 

Hudson Valley MOCA is open Thursday and Saturday 11-5pm (only).

HAND DELIVERED ARTWORK: Hudson Valley MOCA will accept hand deliveries of accepted works on Saturday, January 18, Sunday January 19, and Thursday January 16, or by appointment. Work can be delivered to Hudson Valley MOCA, 1701 Main St, Peekskill, NY between 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Hand delivered works can be picked up from Hudson Valley MOCA on May 8 and 10 and by appointment thereafter.

SALES: We encourage the sale of artwork and take 50% commission on sales; however work does not have to be for sale if selected for the exhibition. Hudson Valley MOCA will create a price list and make it available for those who ask for it. INSURANCE: Artists must sign an artist loan agreement, which determines the artworks insurance value.  This letter will be included in your acceptance packet. Hudson Valley MOCA provides insurance onsite for the duration of installation, the exhibition and de-installation, but is not responsible for the artwork during transit to or from the museum. Artists may choose to use their own insurance rather than that of HVMOCA. Please note that insurance company valuations are usually based on a history of sales as well as auction records, not on perceived value by the artist. Insurance claims are all referred directly to our insurance company.  HVMOCA is not personally liable for loss or damage   outside of insurance adjusters settlements.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists from across the United States,62 years or older. Original works only, executed during the past three years that have never been exhibited at Hudson Valley MOCA.