Call for Entry – Journeys Onward – Art Relevant to the Veteran Experience

The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts (RICPA), 118 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02903

RICPA’s Journeys Onward explores the photographic artistic expression of veterans and their families in the context of their military experiences.  Many veterans and their families want to tell their stories, but those conversations can be difficult to start.  Often, art has been shown to be able to foster communication.

Every member of the U.S. Armed Forces and their family members embark on a journey of experiences that are both shared by many, and specific to everyone. Those experiences can be complex and enduring - perhaps lifelong. Their impact and intensity may be hard to grasp for those outside the Armed Forces community. These experiences may cover a wide range of emotions

Accompanied by the artists’ written words, their photographic art reflects the military experiences of veterans - retired or currently serving - or their family members. It creates an opportunity and forum for artists to share their past experiences and their journeys onward. Their art and relevant written words can offer a common ground for those conversations to start. Communication is what this exhibit is all about.

Journeys Onward is a juried exhibition that is part of RICPA’s broader veterans initiative to foster communication and understanding between and among the military and civilian communities. That initiative includes other exhibits and events with invited veteran artists, and active participation in the Providence-based WaterFire’s Salute to Veterans on the evening of Saturday, November 2, 2019.

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

IMPORTANT TIMELINE DATES

Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 5, 2019, 11:59 PM, Mountain Standard Time
Notification of Acceptance: Not later than Monday, September 16, 2019, by email only. No inquires please. All decisions are final.
In-Person Delivery:  Saturday thru Monday, October 12 - 15, 2019, as described below.
Shipping Delivery:  Not later than Thursday, October 10, 2019, as described below.
Exhibition:  Thursday, October 17 – Friday, November 15, 2019
Opening Reception: October 17th 5:00 - 9:00pm
Return of Work:  In-person pick up on Saturday, November 16, 2019, and shipping return after that date, as described below.

Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication and mutual support. 

RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.

The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org/

Juror:  Mick Cochran
Mick Cochran has been a photojournalist for most of his life. As a leader and practitioner, he has served as Director of Photography at USA Today; in art, photography, and technology editorial positions at The Providence (R.I.) Journal-Bulletin; as an assistant managing photo and graphics editor at The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer; and, in various positions at The State (IL) Journal-Register. As an educator, he teaches at Western Kentucky University's Mountain Workshops for photojournalism. He is the proud parent of a U.S. Marine who has served and now teaches sailing in the Warrior Sailors veterans program.

Please read this call for entry carefully and consider submitting work if you can comply with the requirements and timetable.  

Artist Eligibility: Any artist who is at least 18 years old is eligible to apply to this Call for Entry if the artist is either:

1- A current or past member of the U.S. Armed Forces (i.e. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard), the Reserve Corps of the U.S. Armed Forces, or the National Guard; or,

2 - A member of the immediate family (i.e. a parent, sibling, child (by blood, adoption, or marriage), spouse, grandparent, or grandchild) of a current or past member of the U.S. Armed Forces (i.e. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard), the Reserve Corps of the U.S. Armed Forces, or the National Guard. 

At its sole discretion, RICPA may require the artist to submit documentation for proof of their eligibility (i.e. DD 214, current military ID, or proof of relationship to the veteran).  Eligible artists do not have to be U.S. residents or citizens. This call is valid only to the extent that in does not violate or contravene any U.S. or foreign laws or restrictions.

Artwork Eligibility: The art may be 2D or 3D but must have photography as significant element as determined solely by RICPA. All artwork must be original creations by the artist, not under a teacher’s direct supervision.  

All artwork must be exhibition ready to hang or position with all appropriate hardware securely attached and must be ready to sell. No work can be not-for-sale (NFS) or price-on-request (POR) without the prior approval of RICPA. No saw-tooth hangers or ceiling hanging can be used. Frames are not required on all artwork if the presentation is current with today’s gallery/museum standards as determined solely by RICPA.

Work that does not adhere to any of these guidelines or is not to be a faithful representation of the image submitted will not be exhibited.  The RICPA reserves the right to refuse entry to works that do not fit its community’s standards or its operational needs.

Size Limit: Maximum size 48” including the frame. Artists may have multiple pieces (diptych, triptych etc.) to make up one work. 3D work must be easily movable and fit safely and securely in the gallery.

Submittal Fees:  Artists may submit up to 10 images of their entries. The application entry fee, which includes the first image fee, is $15, and the fee for each subsequent image is $10.  All CAFE fees are non-refundable and must be paid by credit/debit card through the CAFE system.  Payment of those fees indicates the acknowledgment and acceptance of the terms and conditions of the exhibition.

Artwork Relevance Statement: A short written statement of the relevance of the artwork to the veteran experience is required and can be uploaded at the Artwork Relevance Statement portion of the application.  Please name the file containing the statement, "LastName-FirstName_Relevance" (i.e. Murphy-Greg_Relevance). Only one document file can be uploaded.

This is not a caption or a general artist statement.  It should be based on the artist's actual experience, perceptions or knowledge.  Along with the artwork's quality, presentation, and appropriateness, the statement is a critical element in conveying the importance of the artwork both for the selection process, and for the exhibition, if the artwork is accepted.  The intent is that the statement, or an edited version of it, will accompany the artwork(s) in the exhibit.  If multiple statements are needed to address different images, the artist should submit those as part of the same document.
  
Notification of Acceptance: Artists will be notified of the acceptance of specific artwork via e-mail not later than Tuesday, September 16, 2019.

Want to become a RICPA Member? Membership brings many benefits and discounts, for more information and to find the membership level that fits you, visit our website at https://www.riphotocenter.org/membership-info/

In-Person Delivery of Accepted Work: All in-person deliveries will be made at the RICPA Gallery on Saturday thru Monday, October 12 - 15, 2019, or by appointment. Anyone delivering artwork in person must remove any packing materials used from the Gallery. Please DO NOT use Styrofoam peanuts or their equivalents in packing.  Accepted work MUST remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibit.

Shipment of Accepted Work:  Shipped deliveries should be scheduled to arrive by Thursday, October 10, 2019. Shipped work must be accompanied by a prepaid, return label. Please make sure that you label your work on the back with your name or name on the shipping label if different. 

Return of Work: For artists who delivered their art in-person pickup will be on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at times to be determined. Shipped art will be returned in the packaging in which it was sent using the provided prepaid return shipping label. The artist is solely responsible for any charges that may arise from inadequate packaging, or redirected shipments. 

Sales & Commissions: The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts retains a 30% commission on works sold, 20% for current members.

Liability - Legal Agreement & Participant’s Waiver:  Submission of work automatically waives any claim for damage or loss against RI Center for Photographic Arts, including the officers, members, and employees. RICPA will exercise all reasonable care in handling entries but will not assume any liability for loss or damage while in RICPA’s possession or in transit. Work should be independently insured by the artist.

No National Security Violations: The artist warrants that both the artwork and the artwork relevance statement do not in any way violate any national security laws, regulations, directives or agreements.

Usage Rights and Copyright: The artist retains all copyright interests to their submitted art and relevance statements. By submitting images and statements, you are giving RICPA the right to use the images for the purpose of marketing the exhibition and for reproduction online. Artists grant the use of their image(s) or statement(s) as stated without further contact or compensation from RICPA. Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. Submitting artists will be added to RICPA’s email subscriber list. They may opt out using a link on each email at any time. RICPA 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.
 
Questions: Contact gallery@riphotocenter.org  To learn about other RICPA exhibits and programs, visit https://www.riphotocenter.org/.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria