Attending to Wonder

“To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.” -- Aldo Leopold, Conservation Esthetic, A Sand County Almanac.

“When the eye is graced with wonder, the world reveals its wonder… Everything depends, really, on the way we gaze at things. Engaging the world this way illuminates the world in a way we’ve never noticed.” -- John O’Donohue, Beauty & the Invisible Embrace

There is a deficit of wonder that belies our truest relationship with ourselves and the world around us. Living as though separate from our surroundings strips us of a larger, perhaps more mythic, tradition that has sustained human meaning and belongingness. We live in a world moving ever-faster with greater efficiency, where everything is documented and catalogued, where little room is given to notice mystery and find moments of wonder. The American naturalist, Aldo Leopold, thought the human spirit required the existence of places of great imaginative power and mystery, as these cultivate a deep connection between individuals and their world by providing room for contemplation and appreciation. Such room is necessary if we are going to find wonder that “illuminates the world in a way we’ve never noticed.” 

Whether your work addresses specific places, rituals, attentiveness to daily life, or the sharing of stories, GFAA invites submissions that broadly explore the ways in which you have experienced wonder. Any style, medium, or discipline will be considered; however, submitted work should be of the highest quality and address the theme by adding to an overall atmosphere of contemplation. Please email GFAA with any questions about this exhibit.

Please note: the minimum of images for submission is 4, and detail images are included in this. You may submit less than 4 separate pieces by including detail photographs. 

Artists must be 18 or older to submit. Only original works will be considered, no substitutes and no reproductions will be accepted. No jewelry or pottery will be accepted. All artwork must be ready to hang with proper hardware. Framed pieces that are shipped must use plexi. Hand delivered works may use glass. GFAA is not responsible for damage incurred during shipping. Artists shipping work must provide a return shipping label. Artworks should include a price or NFS. GFAA retains a 30% commission on all works sold during the exhibition. Any work sold during exhibition must stay up until the end of the exhibition. 

JURORS
Logan Marconi, Guest Curator, Gainesville, FL
Amory Abbott, Assistant Professor of Art, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC
Lauren Hill, Curatorial Assistant, UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum, Austin, TX
Katy Lemle, Gallery Director & Operations Manager, Gainesville Fine Arts Association

AWARDS
Three, $1000 awards for Best In Show with two, $500 merit awards

TIMELINE
Open call December 3, 2019

Submission deadline March 15

Artists notified April 18

Delivery of work May 18- 22

Exhibition dates May 26 - June 20, 2020

Exhibition Opening May 29, 2020

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria