Exhibition Prospectus  “Twisting Fibers–An Art for All Reasons”

Spring, 2019 at the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council Gallery and adjacent Gallery 175, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
An Open Juried National Exhibition

Sponsored by Art League Rhode Island  

Exhibition Location: Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and adjacent Gallery 175, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Twisting Fibers into string is as old as humanity and has contributed to the survival of our species in similarly important ways as food itself. Using our hands in the creation of fiber products is akin of early mark making. Industrialization and its inexpensive mass production have nearly eradicated these fundamental expressions of human evolution. Handwork together with hand writing are losing their relevance as our hands are trapped at keyboards and on screens. Nevertheless, fiber art has gained renewed interest, and as much as it is a remnant of the past it is claiming its place in the future as a mindful creative process practiced by most diverse communities and individuals all over the world.

As time itself has become one of the hottest commodities of the 21st century, the labor intense and time consuming nature of handwork stands in stark contrast to the increasing rush that consumes so many of today’s industrialized societies. This imbues handwork with a new value. We can see in a handmade object that time slowed down, which in turn creates a sense of restorative pause. We enter a world where the process cannot be rushed or forced but where the maker had to submit to the inherent nature of handwork, a meditative creative process integrating body, soul and spirit.

 “Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it, and it will go nowhere at all.” Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969), 34th President, USA

For the purposes of this proposal, all work must include either fiber in content or be executed with at least one fiber process or technique. Fibers include media like paper, shredded plastic shopping bags, bamboo, reeds, telephone wire, simple metal wire and fruit skins. Processes include sewing, knitting, knotting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, felting and basketry. We encourage the use of technology, slow cloth, traditional or non-traditional materials, and eco-friendly materials in the creation of entries, but no perishable organic material.

 Juror: Anastasia Azure, Providence, Rhode Island

 Awards:

1st Prize $300

2nd Prize $200

3rd Prize $100

 Please read this prospectus carefully and only consider submitting work if you are able to comply with the requirements and timetable outlined in this document.

IMPORTANT TIMELINE DATES

Registration Deadline: Deadline has been extended from January 11 to January 18, 2019

Notification of Acceptance: On or before February 1, 2019 via email. No inquires please. All decisions are final.

Drop off: Monday, March 4, 2019 (10am - 3pm) EDT & Tuesday, March 5, 2019 (noon - 5pm) EDT at the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI  02860

Exhibition: Friday, March 8, 2019 – Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Opening Reception and Awards: Thursday, March 14, 2019, (5:30 - 8pm) EDT

Pick up: Thursday, May 9, 2019 (10am – 3pm) EDT & Friday, May 10, 2019 (noon - 5pm) EDT

 Juror: Anastasia Azure handcrafts contemporary art exploring the elegance of geometry. Her artwork creates sophisticated serenity and beauty in a space. By adapting an ancient textile technique, she weaves hand-dyed nylon and wire on a traditional floor loom. Her sculptures are original, American innovation.

​​Anastasia has won many awards, including three Niche Awards. Her sculpture, "Neutral Zenith", won 1st prize in Excellence in Fiber, 2018. Her sculptural bracelet, Egg Hunt is featured on the book cover of "500 Plastic Jewelry Designs" published by Lark Books. She exhibits nationally and internationally, and her work is collected by the Museum of Contemporary Craft (Portland, OR), the Tennessee State Museum (Nashville, TN) and the Appalachian Center for Craft (Smithville, TN).

Based in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, her recent projects include the Ritz Carlton (Half Moon Bay, CA), the Grand Hyatt (Abu Dhabi, UAE), and the Hilton (Singapore).

She completed her MFA in Textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design in 2011. Anastasia’s background is in jewelry metal arts. First introduced to jewelry fabrication in high school, she trained at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, San Francisco, graduating in 2001. While earning her BFA in 2005 from California College of the Arts, she discovered weaving’s immense importance to her life’s work.

More about Anastasia can be found here https://www.anastasiaazure.com/ here https://www.instagram.com/anastasia.azure/ and here http://www.worldofthreadsfestival.com/artist_interviews/046_anastasia_azure_12.html

Art League Rhode Island (ALRI) has a 19-year history of supporting artists and the arts. The organization was incorporated with a goal to contribute, encourage and promote integrity and excellence in the arts in Rhode Island. ALRI numbers among its founding members some of Rhode Island's most prominent artists working in a wide range of media from painting to furniture making.  Its mission is to provide a venue for the growth and encouragement of artists, to promote high standards in the visual arts, and to encourage community participation and appreciation of the greater Rhode Island arts community.

The membership is deeply committed to the value of visual art in contemporary life and embraces current approaches to curatorial programming, community-building, art education, and outreach to under-served communities.  As an all-volunteer organization, ALRI represents over 100 Artist Members, hailing from 32 of the 39 cities and towns throughout the state.

Eligibility: Any artist who is at least 18 years or older may participate to the extent that their participation is allowed under law.

Artwork: All 2D and 3D media is eligible. No video entries will be accepted. Artwork previously exhibited with ALRI is not permitted. All work must be original. Work found to be copied from copyrighted work will not be hung. Reprints from non-copyrighted work are also not permitted. All work must be exhibition ready to install with the appropriate hardware. No saw-tooth hangers or clips. No dark colored mats. Work that does not adhere to the guidelines, or is deemed not to be a faithful representation of the image for jurying, will not be exhibited. Artwork must be appropriate for viewers of all ages. Accepted work MUST remain in the Gallery for the duration of the exhibit.

Submission Fee: Artists may submit up to 3 artworks for $30. ALRI Members may submit up to 3 artworks for $25. (ALRI members have been sent a coupon code via email. If you are an ALRI member and did not receive the code, please contact artleagueri@gmail.com). All CaFE fees are non-refundable, and must be paid by credit/debit card. Payment of those fees indicates the acknowledgement of the terms and conditions of the exhibition.

Size Limit 2D work: 2D work maximum size up to 48” wide and 72” high including the frame. Artists may have multiple pieces (diptych, triptych etc.) to make up one work.

Size Limit 3D work: Overall footprint of 3D work be 24" x 24” or less with a weight limit 40 lbs. Can be free-standing, pedestal (a limited number of pedestals are available), or ceiling hung (maximum 8’ length including artist provided hanging hardware). No special safety requirements accepted. 3D work on exhibit may need to be moved to a protected location during Blackstone Valley Tourism Council events where large numbers of people will congregate.

Media Requirements for Submission through Call for Entry:

File format: JPEG or JPG only
File dimensions: 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side
File size: under 5 MB

 Installation Pieces: Must include a detailed description of any electrical, lighting, or space requirements. Submitted art work should be properly prepared and should require no more than 30 minutes for installation.

In-Person Delivery of Accepted Work: All in-person deliveries will be made Monday, March 4, 2019 (10am - 3pm) EDT & Tuesday, March 5, 2019 (noon - 5pm) EDT, at The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI  02860. Anyone delivering artwork in person must remove from the Gallery any packing materials.

Shipment of Accepted Work: Shipped deliveries must arrive in Rhode Island by March 1, 2019 based on specific instructions that will be communicated via e-mail to those artists whose work is accepted. Each box shipped must be accompanied by a prepaid, return shipment label which is placed in an envelope inside the box. Please make sure that the box and materials that you use will adequately protect your work, and DO NOT use Styrofoam peanuts or their equivalents in packing.

Return of Work: Participating artists who delivered their art in person will need to pick it up on Thursday, May 9, 2019 (10am – 3pm) EDT or Friday, May 10, 2019 (noon - 5pm) EDT. Those who shipped their art will have it returned to them in the packaging in which it was sent using its prepaid return shipping label.

If ALRI, UPS, or other carrier determines that the packaging is not adequate to safely ship the art back to the artist, ALRI will contact the artist. The artist must notify ALRI in writing of any changes in their contact information, or their intended place or time of return of their art, prior to the end of the exhibition. The artist is solely responsible for any time, materials, storage, shipment, or other charges that may arise from inadequate packaging, delayed or redirected shipments, nonresponse of the artist, or any other artist requests. All additional charges must be paid prior to the return of the art.

Sales & Commissions: Sales are encouraged. Work may be for sale or listed as not for sale (NFS); however, NO work may be listed as Price on Request (POR). Prices provided by the artist should reflect the 40% commission taken by ALRI on all artwork sold. Artists will be paid their 60% percentage of the sale by ALRI within 30 calendar days after the exhibition closes.

Liability - Legal Agreement & Participant’s Waiver: Submission of work automatically waives any claim for damage or loss against ALRI or the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, including the officers, members, and employees. ALRI will exercise reasonable care in handling all artwork but will not assume any liability for loss or damage while in ALRI’s possession. Work should be independently insured by the artist.

Usage Rights: The artist retains all copyright interests or claims that they have in their art. By submitting images, you give ALRI the right to use and reproduce the images to market and document the exhibition, and to enable the image to be part of an online exhibition. Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. ALRI reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. Payment of the submission fee indicates acknowledgement of all terms and conditions. ALRI reserves the right not to hang or install artwork that does not meet the requirements as stated in this Prospectus.

Questions: Contact artleagueri@gmail.comor call (401) 861-0500. To learn about other ALRI exhibits and programs go to https://artleaguerhodeisland.org/

 Want to become an ALRI Member? ALRI membership offers many benefits to artists. If you would like to explore ALRI and join as a Member, please go to the link https://artleaguerhodeisland.org/ and click on the tab “Get Involved”.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria