The Marblehead Arts Association (MAA) is inviting artists, both MAA members and non-members, from across the country to participate in the MAA National Exhibit entitled Variations. Exhibit dates are January 30-March 14, 2021.

For close to a century, the Marblehead Arts Association has exhibited the works of artists from throughout New England in the six galleries of its historic 1728 mansion, located in the Old Town section of this scenic town of Marblehead, MA.

In 2021, we will continue that tradition by inviting artists, both MAA members and non-members, from across the country to celebrate the diversity of art in this juried exhibit of 2D and 3D work.

This is a six-week, juried exhibit of 2D and 3D work, all mediums are welcome (note the MAA has a limited number of pedestals available).

The Variations exhibit will be juried for acceptance and judged for prizes in Fine Art, Photography, and 3D works. Winners will be awarded at the Opening Reception on Sunday, January 31, 2021.

This Call for Works assumes the Marblehead Arts Association galleries are open to the public during the planned exhibit dates.  If, as a result of Covid-19, the state of Massachusetts or the governing body of the MAA determine the MAA galleries will be closed, Variations will become a virtual exhibit. Artists will be notified, at the time of their acceptance, if the show is to be live or virtual.

The Marblehead Arts Association is located at
8 Hooper Street, Marblehead, MA 01945 

www.marbleheadarts.org

 JUDGES

Cara Wolahan is an art historian and museum professional specializing in European painting from the early modern period. After studying Art History and Studio Art at Boston College, she received her MA degree in the History of Art and Architecture from Boston University, where she completed her thesis on the religious works of Italian painter Caravaggio. Cara has spent the last decade working with museums and galleries locally and from internationally—the Museo del’Opera del Duomo in Florence to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where she now works as the Coordinator for the Art of Europe department. An artist herself, Cara’s perspective combines contemporary art practices with more traditional approaches to art history. ​

Francine Weiss is an artist and photo historian who works with digital and handmade photography. Her work was recently included in the Danforth Museum of Art's "New England Photography Biennial" (MA), the “Somerville Toy Camera Festival: The International Festival of Toy Camera Photography" (MA), and at "Out of the Blue" at Photosynthesis Gallery (CT). She has also exhibited her work at the Griffin Museum of Photography, Yeiser Art Center (KY), and TCC Photo Gallery (TX), the Photographic Resource Center (MA), and Plymouth Center for the Arts (MA). She is currently a Curator at the Newport Art Museum, as well as core faculty in the New Hampshire Institute of Art's MFA program. She has held curatorial positions at the PRC, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, and Harvard University Art Museums. She enjoys integrating her knowledge of photo history and passion for the photographic object into her creative work.

Beth C. McLaughlin is Chief Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Massachusetts. Ms. McLaughlin has held leadership and curatorial roles in the arts and museum fields for over 25 years at institutions across the U.S., including Fuller Craft Museum, Oakland Museum of California, and DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. She has curated over 45 exhibitions and has served as a juror for several cultural organizations, including American Craft Council, Fiber Art Now Excellence in Fibers, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and the City of Worcester. Ms. McLaughlin has been published in several books and periodicals, such as Crafting Democracy: Fiber Arts and Activism, Fiber Art Now, the Decorative Arts Society Newsletter, and American Craft Magazine. Ms. McLaughlin is passionate about expanding awareness of the craft field, promoting the makers, and exploring the transformative powers of handmade objects.

Prizes:

·     There will be (3) three $1000 awards, one in each of the following categories: 

•    Fine Arts, Photography and 3D work.
•    Judges' decisions on acceptance into the exhibit and prize awards are final.

Exhibit Details:

·       Artists may submit digital images for up to 3 pieces of artwork for jurying for acceptance

·       NON-REFUNDABLE Application Fees:

•    $35 for the first entry, $10 for each additional entry (maximum 3 images)
•    For current MAA Members: At check-out, use the coupon code sent to members to receive a $10 discount on their first entry. No refunds are given after payment is made.

·       Must be 18 years or older

·       Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or PayPal will be accepted for application fee payment. Applicants may also pay by personal check. Checks should be made payable to the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St, Marblehead MA 01945.  The application will not be finalized until the entry fee has been paid.

Important Dates:

          2020

·       September     Online submission start date

·       December 1   Online submission closing date

·       December 15 Email notification of Acceptance/Non- Acceptance

          2021

·     January 22     Deadline date for the arrival of accepted artwork(s). All artwork should be hand-delivered or shipped to arrive at The Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead MA 01945

·       January 30 – March 14      Variations Exhibit Dates

·       January 31     Opening Reception and Awards (expected to be in person but dependent upon Covid-19 conditions)

·       March 16        Artwork pick-up (local) date

Artwork Specifics:

·       All entries must be original, and if accepted, may not be withdrawn.  Accepted artwork must remain hanging until the completion of the exhibit unless sold or special arrangements are made with the MAA.

·       There are (3) three categories for submission:

Fine Art – Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Digital Art

Photography – Film, Digital (all parts of the image must be made by the artist)

3D – Sculpture, Crafts, Jewelry, Fabric, Paper

·       Digital submissions for jurying (high-quality images required for jurying)

• Images must be jpg format, cropped to remove backgrounds
• Any single image cannot exceed 5mb (5000kb)​Minimum of 100 dpi resolution
• Longest side not to exceed 1400 pixels, other side not to exceed 1050 pixels

 ·      For 3D work, a composite image showing multiple views of the work will be accepted as long as it meets the image submission requirements. The artist will only be charged for 1 image.

• Works on paper (including photography) must be matted, framed, and under glass or plexiglass.
• Maximum size: no more than 42″ on any one side.
• Any hanging piece must not weigh more than 30 lbs.
• The MAA has limited access to pedestals. Accepted artists requiring pedestals or other types of display structures should contact the MAA before shipping. All jewelry must come with its own display materials.    
• Artwork may be rejected if it differs markedly from the digital images(s) submitted.
• There is no guarantee of acceptance.

Shipping

• The MAA is not responsible for loss or damage to work in transit to or from the MAA.
• Shipping and handling fees, as well as return shipping fees, are the responsibility of the artist. We strongly suggest insuring your pieces adequately for transport. 
• No packing peanuts allowed.
• A PRE-PAID RETURN-SHIPPING LABEL MUST BE ENCLOSED WITH THE WORK AND SHIPPED IN A CONTAINER SUITABLE TO RE-USE FOR RETURN SHIPPING. No work will be exhibited that does not include a pre-paid shipping label. If an artwork is sold, the return shipping label will not be used and therefore the noted account will not be billed. 
• The MAA will store the artist's shipping materials and return-shipping labels to send back artwork at the completion of the exhibition.
• If the artist’s shipping materials are deemed inadequate for return shipping, replacement shipping materials will be purchased and used by the MAA, at artist expense.

·       For the Variations exhibit, the MAA will receive 40% of the gross sales price of any item sold in the galleries.

·       All sales must be made through and recorded by the MAA.

·       Applicable state sales tax is collected on each sale except where exempt by individual state law.

·       Every effort is made to pay artists for their work 30 days after the end of the exhibition and payment has been received by the MAA. All sales are final.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria