4th Open Call Exhibition
Jurored by Julie Grahame

Entry deadline August 27, 2017

Providence Center for Photographic Arts (PCPA) seeks a broad range of exhibition-ready work from established and emerging photographers for its 4th Open Call exhibit, jurored by Julie Grahame, publisher of aCurator.com, a full-screen photography magazine, and the associated aCurator blog. Julie is a consultant, portfolio reviewer, writer and speaker.

The “open call” is an opportunity to present your best work. There is no theme to adhere to. We want to see what drives, motivates, and inspires your creative process. All photo-based images are welcome. There is no limitation to subject matter or technique. All entries will be reviewed and judged on artistic merit, originality, technical excellence, composition, and overall impact.

Download propectus

About the Juror, Julie Grahame
Julie Grahame is the publisher of aCurator.com, a full-screen photography magazine, and the associated aCurator blog, one of the ten best photo sites named by the British Journal of Photography and one of Life.com's top 20. She has represented the estate of Yousuf Karsh for licensing for 12 years. Grahame is a consultant, portfolio reviewer, writer and speaker. She is a member of American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP) and American Photography Archive Group (APAG); judges photography for various non-profits, and is a contributing writer for PDN's Emerging Photographer and EDU magazines. In 2013 she helped launch a new website dedicated to architectural photography, as well as working a spell as associate director for ClampArt, a gallery in New York. In a former life, she ran the Retna photo agency.

Eligibility
Providence Center for Photographic Arts invites photographers from around the world working in all mediums, styles, and schools of thought to participate. Experimental and mixed techniques are welcome. Artwork must be photography-based and 40 inches or less in height and width (including the frame). Submit artwork created in the last 3 years. Photographers must be age 18 or older.

Artist Dates
Entry deadline: August 27, 2017, 11:59 pm MDT
Notice of acceptance: September 7
Optional print service, email files by September 14
Artwork hand delivered October 6 & 7 from 1 to 4pm
Shipped artwork to arrive on October 6 & 7
Exhibit on view: October 12 - November 3
Opening reception: October 19, 5:00 to 9:00pm
Show closes: November 3, 4:00pm
Artwork pickup: November 4, 1:00 to 4:00pm
Unsold art shipped out beginning November 6

$1000 in Prizes
All prizes are awarded at the opening reception on October 19, 2017 at 7:30pm.
•    Best of show $500
•    2nd place $300
•    3rd place $200

Fees
PCPA members $30 for three pieces and $10 for each additional entry. Non-members $36 for three pieces and $10 for each additional entry. Limit of 8 entries per person. Online submission and fees are handled through CAFÉ (CallforEntry.org), a free and easy-to-use online application system. Entry fees are non-refundable. PCPA members please email info@providencephoto.orgfor instructions for the member discount.

How to Enter
1.    Select 3 (and up to 8) images. Save each file as JPG, highest quality, sRGB color space, 1920 pixels on the longest side, without borders, and file size less than 5 megabytes. 
2.    Go to callforentry.org
3.    Login to your CAFÉ account or create a new account. CAFÉ instructions here.
4.    Complete your entry before 11:59pm (Mountain time) on August 27, 2017.

Notification of Acceptance
All applicants will be notified by Constant Contact email and the list of accepted artists will be posted on the PCPA website on September 7, 2017. Please refer to the PCPA website only. We will make every effort to contact artists with the information you provide in the entry application. It is the artist’s responsibility to check the PCPA website for accepted entries.

Delivery of Accepted Photographs
Artwork can be hand delivered to the gallery on  October 6 & 7 from 1 to 4pm. Ship artwork to arrive on October 6 & 7.

Exhibit Guidelines 
All work submitted for exhibition must be printed and framed professionally with either glass or plexi, and be wired with D-rings and ready to hang. PCPA recognizes that some work is non-traditional and incorporates the framing as an integral part of the presentation. Prints on aluminum, wood, or other alternative material are acceptable. The maximum height and/or width including the frame must not exceed 40 inches.

Images not suitably prepared will be excluded. Once unpacked at the gallery framed images may be evaluated once again. Printing excellence, mounting, and framing qualities of each piece will be taken into account. Your piece must be wired and ready to hang. Do not use screwed hooks, sawtooth hangers, exposed glass edges, or cleats. Work not properly framed or damaged in shipment may not be exhibited.

Print Service
Distant photographers whose work is accepted for the exhibit can use our print service to avoid shipping costs and mailing problems. Museum-quality prints are produced by our friends at ioLabs.

All prints will be displayed in professional .75 inch black frames behind glass. We print images at a good size to maximize impact at exhibition. The process is easy:

1.    Save your file at 300dpi at one of the standard image sizes below. Your image needs to fill the dimensions of the file. Do not add any white or black border or extra canvas area. Save as JPG maximum quality, file size less than 20MB.

2.    Email the file to info@providencephoto.org by September 14. Write “print service and [your name]” in the subject line of your email. Also send a scanned image of your signature.

3.    PCPA will email you a Paypal invoice for $40 per print. Frames are owned by PCPA.

4.    Promptly send payment for the invoice and we will print, frame, and hang your image in time for the show. PayPal accepts credit cards.

After the exhibit all print-service prints remain available for viewing at the gallery. At your request we can ship the print to you after the show has concluded (contiguous 48 states USA only). You pay for shipping.

Print service image sizes at 300dpi:
12 x 16 inches (3:4 aspect)
14.5 x 14.5 inches (Square)
11 x 16.5 inches (2:3 aspect)

Shipping
Ship artwork to arrive on October 6 & 7. Artists who choose to ship accepted works will be responsible for supplying a pre-paid return shipping label. We work hard to sell art and suggest waiting until the end of the exhibit to email a PDF of your return label. UPS shipping is preferred. Do not include return USPS postage or any other pre-paid shipping in your package.

Address to:
Providence Center for Photographic Arts Photography Gallery
118 North Main Street, 2nd Floor
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 400-2542
email: info@providencephoto.org

Sales Commission and No Sales Tax
All work accepted for gallery exhibition must be for sale. PCPA will retain a 40% commission on the sale of any work. 60% of sale proceeds will be paid to the artist within 30 days of the close of the show. All photographs must be signed by the artist. The sale of signed, original, limited edition artwork in the state of Rhode Island is sales tax free.

Providence Center for Photographic Arts
PCPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, publications, workshops, and mutual support. We strive to advance our members’ careers, strengthen the appreciation of photo-based media, and foster dialogue around innovation in the arts. 

Our talented member artists come from both the local Providence area and far beyond. PCPA is non-profit organization led by dedicated volunteers. We will run a full calendar of professional workshops, juried, group, and individual artist exhibits, member salons, and other activities throughout 2017. All exhibits are free and open to the public. Join PCPA and more information.

The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and by appointment. Please contact info@providencephoto.org or by phone at (401) 400-2542 with any questions. Visit the gallery online. Find us on FaceBook and Twitter.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria