The Fall of Civilization: A National Juried Exhibition

Virtually all civilizations have suffered the fate of falling, regardless of size or complexity. Some revive and transform, while others never recover.

“It has been said that civilization is twenty-four hours and two meals away from barbarism.” ― Neil Gaiman, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

LHUCA is seeking work that represents modern, historical, or future collapses in civilizations. When considering this topic, artists may ask themselves:

What does or will art look like after a national or global fall? What materials will artists find to work with after the collapse?

Why do civilizations collapse?

environmental degradation, CLIMATE CHANGE, famine, excessive deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, political violence, OLIGARCHY, war, misinformation, decay of social cohesion, INEQUALITY, external shocks, depletion of resources, NATURAL DISASTERS, uncontrollable population movements, new epidemic and pandemic diseases, CATABOLIC CAPITALISM, scarcity, hoarding resources, greed…

“Each moment cancels the last. In the end there is nothing, not even the end.” ― Marty Rubin

Juror: Alicia Eggert 

Alicia Eggert is an interdisciplinary artist whose work gives material form to language and time, the powerful but invisible forces that shape our perception of reality. Her creative practice is largely motivated by an existential pursuit to understand the linear and finite nature of human life within a seemingly infinite universe. She derives her inspiration from physics and philosophy, and her sculptures often co-opt the styles and structures of commercial signage to communicate messages that inspire reflection and wonder. Alicia creates neon signs that illuminate the way light travels across space and time, and billboards that allow Forever to appear and disappear in the fog. 

Alicia is currently a Presidential Early Career Professor of Studio Art and the Sculpture Program Coordinator at the University of North Texas. 

Entry Fee: $20 for up to three entries.

• Artists may submit three images per artwork per entry.

• For audio and video work, artists may submit one file per entry.

Entry Details:

• Artists must be at least 18 years of age and living in the United States.

• Call open to artists working in any medium.

• Size restrictions: Maximum 48” for 2-D work. 3-D pedestal pieces must fit on a pedestal no larger than 24” x  24”. Floor pieces no taller than 10’ tall.

• Framed works: For shipped works, only plexiglass as the glazing on framed pieces will be accepted. Hand-delivered pieces can have glass.

Important Dates:

• Entry deadline: Monday, July 5, 2021

• Notification date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021 (Artists will be notified via email.) 

• Delivery deadline: Thursday, July 29, 2021

• Exhibition dates: August 6 – September 25, 2021

• Opening receptions during First Friday Art Trail: August 6 and September 3, 2021 from 6-9 pm

• Return shipping: Week of September 27, 2021

Cash Prizes: 

• 1st place: $500 

• 2nd place: $250

• 3rd place: $100

• 2 Honorable Mention: $50 each

To Apply:

• Submissions will only be accepted through CaFE: 

Selected Work:

• Artists will be responsible for shipping their work and associated costs.

• Work must be shipped with prepaid return shipping to:

LHUCA, 511 Ave K, Lubbock, Texas 79401

Linda Cullum, linda.cullum@lhuca.org, (806) 762-8606 

About LHUCA: 

Founded in 1997, LHUCA, the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, is a nationally recognized private, 501(c)(3) non-profit fine arts center. Located in the heart of the Lubbock Arts District, LHUCA has a unique four block campus that offers exciting spaces and opportunities for the visual and performing arts. LHUCA is the largest contemporary art center between Dallas/Fort Worth, TX and Santa Fe, NM. This exhibition will be on display for First Friday Art Trails reaching over 3,000 visitors. LHUCA is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission to our galleries is always free. For more information on our many arts programs, visit us at www.lhuca.org

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria