H2O Mid-Atlantic 2021

The Virginia Beach Art Center presents a showcase of water-related artwork from the Mid-Atlantic states.  Artists from South Carolina to Pennsylvania are invited to show explore our relationship to water through visual media. From a single drop to mighty oceans, from rising mists to stormy skies, water is all around us – and up to 78% of our bodies!

The exhibition is juried by Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, Ph. D., and features an award package of $2000!

DATES: Exhibition:  June 4-27, 2021

Exhibition Opens:  June  4

Awards Presentation:  Livestream on Facebook, June 4, 7 pm
(https://www.facebook.com/ArtCenterVB)

Application Deadline: May 7, 2021

Juror Selections May 10-18

Notifications sent May 19

Shipped works arrive:  May 26-June 1

Hand-delivered works arrive: May 29-30 and June 1 (CLOSED MAY 31)

Optional Artist Talks: June 27 3:00 pm (Artists who participate in the Artist Talks may take their work with them at 4:00 pm--no earlier)

Return Shipping of art: June 28

Hand-pick up of art: June 29

Juror Info:

Vanessa D. Thaxton-Ward, Ph. D. is the Director of the Hampton University Museum (HUM). She has served in several capacities at HUM for almost 30 years.  Returning to Hampton in 1991, Thaxton-Ward served as the Associate Curator and Director of Membership and Community Programs; Curator of History, the Curator of Collections, and Interim Director. Thaxton-Ward was previously employed as the Director of the York Bailey Museum and the Coordinator of History and Culture at historic Penn Center located on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, working to educate and celebrate Gullah Culture.

Dr. Thaxton-Ward has served as a guest juror for many arts organizations, nationally and regionally as well as organizing and curating the Hampton University Museums, biennial national juried exhibition, New Power Generation, which focuses on emerging artists of African descent. Under Thaxton-Ward’s leadership, the museum hosted the Association of African American Museum’s 40th Conference in August 2018, and strives to mentor students of color interested in the museum profession.

Submission Fee:

$35 for up to three works
(AG Co-op artists and Art Center Annual Supporters should contact us for a discount code)

Submit only one image per artwork.

Submission fee is not refundable. 

Awards:

A total of $2000 in cash awards will be given.

Best in Show:  $1000

Award of Excellence:  $350

Award of Merit:   $250

Most Creative: $100

4 Honorable Mentions: $75

Eligibility: 

Open to artists who reside in the Mid-Atlantic states (SC, NC, VA, DC, MD, DE, PA) who are 18 or older.  Artwork must incorporate a reference to water (including watermedia, oceans, rivers, lakes, a glass of water, rain, etc).  Broad and creative interpretation of the theme is encouraged.

All work must be original and created without the aid of an instructor or kit.  Work needs to have been produced within the last two years.  The Artist certifies that he/she created the works of art entered, has not infringed on any copyrights, possesses unencumbered title to them and has the right to loan and/or sell these works.

All styles and aesthetics are considered. All artworks must be for sale and must remain on the premises for the duration of the exhibition.  The Virginia Beach Art Center is a public non-profit facility open to patrons of all ages.  The content of submissions should be appropriate for all viewers. 

Artists must include an interpretative statement (limit 1000 characters) that will be displayed with the artwork.  Statements will be edited if necessary.

Submission process: 

All entries and payments must be submitted via CAFE (callforentry.org).  Please follow the directions on CAFE to set up your artist profile and then submit to this call.  If you have exhibition questions, please contact exhibitioncoordinatorvbac@gmail.com.  Questions relating to the online submission process and use of the CAFE website should be directed to CAFE help.

Artists may submit up to three artworks for consideration.  Submit only one photo per artwork.

The non-refundable entry fee is $35.00. For AG Artists and VBAC Supporters it is $30.  Commission for works is 70% (to the artist) and 30% to The Artists Gallery.  For AG artists it is 75% (to the artist) and 25% to The Artists Gallery. Payment for sales will be made within 30 days of the closing of the exhibition.  The artist will be contacted if a W-9 is required.

Limitations:

Works cannot exceed a weight of 40 pounds. 

Hanging works (2D) may not exceed 50” in width (including frame) and may not protrude more than 12” from the wall.  Works must be wired for hanging (no claw hooks), with a tight wire a minimum of 3 inches from the top of the frame.  Gallery wraps are accepted ONLY if the image is continued onto all four sides of the canvas.  Free-standing (3D) works may not exceed 36” in length or width (height may be taller).  Those that require presentation other than a standard pedestal must include those displays with the works.  (Exceptions will be handled on a case by case basis; please contact us before submitting.)

For works that require special installation, we recommend that you contact us first to ensure that we can accommodate the work before you submit.  Special installation must come with clear instructions.  We reserve the right to reject work for the exhibition that differs significantly from the submitted images and/or for craft issues.

Liability:

The art center staff will take great care handling artworks for exhibition.  However, the Virginia Beach Art Center, The Artists Gallery, our staff, and volunteers are not responsible for any damage that may occur.  We strongly recommend artists insure the works themselves and purchase insurance from the shipping company used.  Shipping your work means that you agree to this.

Shipping:

The artist is responsible for shipping costs to and from the art center. 

All shipped works must arrive between May 28-June 1, 2021 without exception.  Hand-delivered works are accepted by 5 pm on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.  Artists must issue pre-paid return labels for their works through UPS or FedEx to be returned.  We do not arrange return shipping in any other manner.  Please, NO PACKING PEANUTS. 

Works should be shipped in reusable packaging and containers for return.  Clearly indicate any unpacking and re-packing instructions for return of works.  Works that do not include a return label and works that are not picked up within one month of the end of the exhibition become property of the Virginia Beach Art Center.

Affix a label on the back of artwork with Artist name and Title.

Questions/Contacts:

Virginia Beach Art Center

532 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite A

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

www.artcentervb.org

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria