Non-Refundable Entry Fee: There is a $37 entry fee for one to three artworks entered; An entry consists of one to three images therefore details of artwork count towards the entry. Each additional entry is $10. (For example, 3 images = $37, 4 images = $47, 5 images = $57...)

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is pleased to announce the 2017 juried fine art competition, Sense of Place. Open to participants from throughout the United States, this thirty-seventh annual event seeks to recognize the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by contemporary American artists. 

Founded in 1937 and housed in the historic Nicholas Ware mansion (c. 1818), the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art (GHIA) is Augusta's only independent nonprofit visual arts school and gallery. The Institute serves as a showcase for local, regional, and national artists, offering rotating exhibitions of outstanding contemporary artwork year-round. In addition, professionally taught studio art classes in a wide variety of media are provided to students of all ages and experience levels. 

Juror: Garth Johnson

The juror for this year's competition is Garth Johnson, ASU Museum's Ceramics Curator.  Studio artist, writer, curator and educator Garth Johnson is curator of ceramics at the ASU Art Museum in Tempe, Arizona. Before moving to Tempe, Garth served as the Curator of Artistic Programs at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia and spent seven years as a Professor at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California. He is a self-described craft activist who explores crafts influence and relevance in the 21st century.

His weblog, Extreme Craft, is a Compendium of Art Masquerading as Craft, Craft Masquerading as Art, and Craft Extending its Middle Finger. His first book, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse was published by Quarry in November 2009. He has also contributed to the books Handmade Nation, Craftivity, Craft Corps and the Smithsonian American Art Museum's new book Nation Building. Johnson recently served as a Director-at-Large on the board of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). 

Awards

Three cash prizes will be given, including a $750 Best of Show Award and two $500 Juror’s Awards. At the juror’s discretion, additional noncash Honorable Mention awards may also be presented. Award recipients will be announced on Friday, September 8, 2017, at the opening reception for A Sense of Place. 

Eligibility

The 2017 juried fine art competition is open to all US artists age 18 and older. All works must be original, not previously exhibited at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, and completed on or after June 1, 2015. Work that predates this cut-off date will not be considered.

Entries in the following media will be accepted: painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. Film and video pieces are ineligible. Entries are not judged in media categories. Two-dimensional work must not exceed three feet in width or seven feet in height, and must be received ready for exhibition and ready to hang. Works on paper must be framed and under Plexiglas (no glass, please). We are unable to accept work that requires suspension from the ceiling. Three-dimensional work must not exceed seven feet in any direction or weigh more than 150 pounds. Installations must conform to the space guidelines for three-dimensional artwork. The Institute’s exhibition committee will serve as the final authority on eligibility.

We respectively request that if your art is accepted, it is available for the show. No substitutions may be made once work is juried into the show. We recommend work submitted should be considered for general viewing audiences of all ages.

Calendar of Events 

June 30, 2017 - Entry deadline 

August 1 - Notification letters sent to artists

August 25 - Delivery deadline for accepted works 

September 8–October 13 - Exhibition on view  

September 8, 2017 from 6-8 PM - Awards presentation and reception

October 16–27 - Artwork picked up or return shipped

LEGAL AGREEMENT

Artwork and Presentation

Each accepted entry must be installation-ready, framed or encased, with appropriate hanging hardware and installation instructions, and clearly labeled with artist’s name and title of the work.  Sculptures will be wall placed on pedestals or shelves (or floor if appropriate). Test your framing/presentation before sending it. The presentation of your work is as important as the object, and deserves extra care and consideration. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art (GHIA) retains the right to reject works from the exhibition at any time, at their discretion.

Accepted work may not be withdrawn before the close of the exhibition on Friday, October 13, 2017. If your art is accepted, it must be available for the show. No substitutions may be made once work is juried into the show. We recommend work submitted should be considered for general viewing audiences of all ages.

Return of Artwork

Artwork must be picked up by October 27, 2017. Work with prepaid return shipping will be mailed during the two weeks following the close of the exhibition. GHIA assumes no responsibility for artwork left beyond December 31, 2017, nor for work with insufficient return shipping. Any artwork left beyond December 31, 2017 will become the property of the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art.

Return Shipping must be prepaid through a shipping company such as FedEx or UPS with a prepaid label enclosed with your artwork. GHIA will not accept postage stamps for shipping, credit card numbers, or shipping accounts for return of artwork.

Sales and Insurance

GHIA will insure artwork while on site for the insurance value indicated on the entry – if “Not For Sale”, please indicate a value (GHIA may require proof of previous sales).

All sales will be handled through GHIA. A 35% commission will be charged. All pieces must remain up for the duration of the exhibition. Artists will be responsible for the cost of shipping sold artwork to the buyer. GHIA will mail checks to the artist for the sale of their work, less any shipping and sale related fees, at the end of the exhibition once payment has been received. Any sales over $500 will require a W9 form to be submitted to GHIA (downloadable from IRS.gov.) before checks can be issued.

Fees and Photography

GHIA does not offer submission refunds for any reasons. The entry fee for A Sense of Place is $37 for up to 3 entries. Each additional entry is $10. GHIA may photograph artwork for reproduction in the catalogue and newsletter, and use images of submitted artwork to publicize and promote the exhibition and any future exhibitions, catalogues, newsletters and calls for entry.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria