PrintAustin is thrilled to announce the open call for its 9th annual juried international exhibition, The Contemporary Print. Presented in collaboration with Big Medium, this year’s exhibition will be juried by John Hitchcock, and be held at Big Medium Gallery during PrintAustin 2022.

The Contemporary Print is a survey of traditional printmaking techniques and innovative approaches in contemporary printmaking. While non-traditional or digital output is accepted as a print element, submissions must utilize traditional print media as their primary technique. These include lithography, relief, intaglio, silkscreen, photo polymer plate (i.e. SolarPlates), and monotype.

Solely digital and photographic prints are not eligible. For questions regarding eligible media, please contact info@printaustin.org.

Please visit www.printaustin.org or email info@printaustin.org for more information.

EXHIBITION DATES  January 14 – February 15, 2019
MEET THE JUROR & MEMBERS PREVIEW XXXXXXXX
OPENING RECEPTION  Friday, January 14, 7-10 PM
VENUE  Big Medium, 916 Springdale Road, Austin, Texas
 

ABOUT PRINTAUSTIN  PrintAustin is an artist-led nonprofit organization working with organizations and individuals throughout the Austin visual arts community to showcase traditional and contemporary approaches in printmaking during its annual festival, held January 15 through February 15.

Visit www.printaustin.org to learn more about our open calls, and other exhibition and collaboration opportunities. You may also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

ABOUT BIG MEDIUM  Big Medium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting contemporary art in Texas. Big Medium produces the East Austin Studio Tour, the Austin Studio Tour, the Texas Biennial, and presents innovative exhibitions throughout the year in the Big Medium Gallery. Big Medium provides affordable studio space to artists, and partners with various organizations in Texas to help foster the arts and facilitate an inclusive cultural dialogue between artists and their communities.

ABOUT THE JUROR  John Hitchcock is a Professor and Associate Dean of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he has taught printmaking for twenty years. Hitchcock uses the print medium with its long history of commenting on social and political issues to explore his relationships to community, land, and culture. Hitchcock’s artwork consists of abstract representations, mythological hybrid creatures and military weaponry. His artworks are based on his childhood memories and stories of growing up in Oklahoma. Many of the images are interpretations of stories told by his Kiowa/Comanche grandparents and abstract representations influenced by beadwork, land, and culture. Hitchcock has made prints with MATRIX Press, Hannaher’s, Inc. Print Studio at Plains Art Museum, and most recently with Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts.

AWARDS

* The Speedball Arts Award  $500 cash prize         

ELIGIBILITY Open to local, national, and international artists 18 years or older. Any 2-D or 3-D work including ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and artist books that uses printmaking as the sole or primary technique in its execution are eligible. Unless an installation, work cannot exceed 72 inches (183 cm) in any direction. Artists may enter multiple images/detail images for entries consisting of installations or 3-D works by sending attachments to info@printaustin.org.

Works that have exhibited in past The Contemporary Print exhibitions are not eligible to be considered for this year’s exhibition. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us provide a fresh and current survey of printmaking today.

IMPORTANT DATES

SEPT 1                Call opens!

NOV 1                  Registration Deadline! All entries due by 11:59 PM (MT)

NOV                     Jury begins selection

DEC 1                  Email notifications sent to all artists

JAN 8 - 11           Shipped artwork due. Hand-delivery arranged upon request only. International applicants will receive special shipping instructions.

JAN  14                Opening Reception 7-10 PM

JAN 14 - FEB 15  Exhibition dates

FEB  17                Return shipping begins

COMMISSIONS & FEES  We encourage artwork sales. Artist receives 70% commission, while Big Medium and PrintAustin split a 30% commission.

SALES & COPYRIGHTS  Your entry grants PrintAustin and Big Medium permission to use artist statements, artist biography, and image(s) of your work in the PrintAustin 2022 catalog, website, and any marketing or public relations material. PrintAustin will provide image credit with information you provide on your application.

FEES: $1 entry fee for PrintAustin members, $10 per submission over 3. Visit printaustin.org/membership to become a member (membership starts at $50/yr, but it includes $1 entry to our juried shows as well as a profile on our website). Be sure to register using the same name as your membership or your entry will be automatically deleted on the date the call closes. 

Fee for non-members: $35 for up to 3 entries; $10 for each additional entry.  

FILE FORMAT: JPEG (“Quality” set to Maximum).  Audio and video files may be submitted if essential to represent the work (i.e. time-based works, etc.). MP3 files may be submitted for audio. MP4 files may be submitted for video. All submissions must include at least one JPEG.

File Name: First Name_Last Name_Image # (e.g.: Albrecth_Durer_1.jpg.)

CATALOG: Once selected, artists will be required to submit hi-res images of their work along with an artist statement. 

FRAMING REQUIREMENTS  Once accepted, all work must be presented professionally as a cohesive group show. For this purpose, we require the following:

o    Prints should be professionally matted/floated and framed, and be installation ready
o    No sawtooth hangers
o    Plexiglass only
o    White or off-white mats
o    Frames should be white or natural wood only

International artists have the option to ship prints rolled or flat, and unframed (to be hung with a magnet system provided by PrintAustin).

Exceptions to above requirements include only works larger than 40 inches, 3-D works, and artist books.

For any special installation requirements, artist must provide a visual and detailed instructions included in the packaging or via email. We strongly encourage artists to contact info@printaustin.org to discuss special installation prior to shipping.

To ensure the quality of the exhibition, PrintAustin reserves the right to exclude any entry that presents complex hanging/exhibition problems or is not professionally framed.

PrintAustin may also reject any work that is not accurately represented in the digital file. The decision is final.

NOTIFICATIONS  Email notifications will be sent to all artists by December 1, 2022.

SHIPPING AND INSURANCE

o    Selected artists will receive a shipping stipend, courtesy of Big Medium. Stipend amount minimum will be $50.
o    Artists are responsible for return shipping, and must include a prepaid return label. Your work will not be installed without it.
o    Shipped work must be packaged in a reusable carton, box, or crate.
o    NO PACKING PEANUTS.
o    PrintAustin will insure all works while in the gallery.
o    Artists are responsible for any damage or loss during transit.
o    Shipped works must be delivered to Big Medium between January 8 - 11, 2022.
o    Hand-delivery arranged upon request ONLY.
o    International artists will receive special shipping instructions.

**IMPORTANT: While selected artists will receive a shipping stipend, courtesy of Big Medium, artists are responsible for arranging shipping. You MUST include an easily located prepaid return shipping label with artwork. If you do not, your work will not be included in exhibit.

An artist statement and a high resolution jpeg of selected work will be required and requested once accepted for catalogue and promotional media use. Loan agreement will be provided by PrintAustin, and will be emailed with your acceptance. Signed agreement must accompany the artwork when shipping.

SHIP ARTWORK TO:

Re: PrintAustin - TCP 2022
Big Medium
916 Springdale Road, Bldg 2, Unit 101
Austin, Texas 78702

Application Requirements

The Contemporary Print is a survey of traditional printmaking techniques and innovative approaches in contemporary printmaking. While non-traditional or digital output is accepted as a print element, submissions must utilize traditional print media as their primary technique. These include lithography, relief, intaglio, silkscreen, photo polymer plate (i.e. SolarPlates), and monotype.

Solely digital and photographic prints are not eligible. For questions regarding eligible media, please contact info@printaustin.org.

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY Open to local, national, and international artists 18 years or older. Any 2-D or 3-D work including ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and artist books that uses printmaking as the sole or primary technique in its execution are eligible. Unless an installation, work cannot exceed 72 inches (183 cm) in any direction. Artists may enter multiple images/detail images for entries consisting of installations or 3-D works by sending attachments to info@printaustin.org.