Important Dates:
Finalist Group Exhibition Dates: 03/05/21 – 03/26/21
Exhibition Opening 03/05/2021
Entry Deadline: June 5th, 2020

Meed4 Applicants

Thank you for applying to our annual art competition with this year’s juror Teresa Magana.  Teresa and I have talked about how we would like to move forward with the competition while we are dealing with COVID-19 and social distancing.

One important element of this competition is the opening; the juror has the opportunity to see the work in person and meet the finalists attending.  We also hold an artist talk moderated by me, where people attending can ask questions.  During the opening, we also encourage attendees to give feedback on the work.  It is during this opening that the juror makes their final decision and announces the winner.  People participating in previous Meed competitions have recognized this process as an invaluable learning experience.

In consultation with juror Teresa Magana, I have made the difficult decision to push the opening of Meed4 into next year.  We will announce the finalists of Meed4 on February 1st, 2021.  If chosen, your work will need to arrive at the gallery on February 26th, in time for the opening on March 5th from 6-9pm.  In the meantime, each week beginning Monday May 26th, we will feature an applicant’s work and artist statement on our social media platforms and create a blog post that will be featured on the front page of our website.  We will be using images from your application.  In addition to the artist statement you provided, please email a short biographical statement and a portrait that we can use when creating the blog post.

Thank you for your patience; please email me at treyes@gallery19chicago.com with any questions that you might have.

Tommy J Reyes
Art Director/Owner
Gallery19

THEME: The Power of Identity 

This year’s competition Gallery19 will delve into the everchanging definition of the artists self-portrait.  While a portrait refers to any image that depicts a human figure, a self-portrait refers to a work that depicts the artist that produced it. Self-portraiture, whether produced in the medium of painting, photography, drawing, or mixed media is its own distinct genre of art, like that of the landscape or the still life. That is, the common features of all self-portraits unify the genre in content and means of expression. We will be looking for work by artists that explore the ideas of self-identity through the power of the self-portrait.  

THE PAYOFF:

The winner of Gallery19's Meed4 will receive a solo show at Gallery19 for the month of February 2021.  The winner will also have a one-year contract with Gallery19, which includes exposure on the gallery’s website, ongoing multi-media, promotion, including social media, participation in gallery programming (openings, events, artist talks, etc.), and direct sales efforts.  In addition, Teresa Magaña will mentor the winner for a little over a year, by reviewing and evaluating work product, and assisting in development of a gallery-ready exhibition, all culminating in a solo exhibition at Gallery19.

JUDGE:

We are honored to have Teresa Magaña preside over the 2020-2021 Gallery19's Meed4 competition. Teresa Magaña has established herself as a mixed media artist, educator, curator, and gallery owner. Her work is rooted and heavily influenced by her Mexican and Chicana identity. As owner of Pilsen Outpost Teresa continues to support and develop emerging artists by offering her gallery as a place for artists seeking the opportunity to express themselves visually.  

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria