The Exhibition will be presented online with a selected few in-gallery and museums opportunities.

The AVAFEST 2021 Exhibition will showcase creative art practices, such as dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and the written word, created by U. S. Veterans, current Military members, and/or their immediate family members. 

Theme:

“Using the Arts & Community to Save Veteran Lives”. 

Submission: 

Artists are invited to submit creative art using visual, verbal, written, and/or physical representations. 

The theme is simply a starting off point.  

Artists are encouraged to submit quality work that best represents their creative vision, social and cultural perspective, and individual talents that command attention from the internationally art community.

Subject matter does not have to be about personal military traumatic experiences however, submissions of this type will be valued for their courageous voice and empowering message.

Purpose and Goals:

The exhibition has three goals:
• To provide increased access to the artwork created by U. S. Veterans, current Military members, and/or their immediate family members through its public display; and
• To build public education and community throughout its presentation; and
• To contribute to the discourse and art history of art created by U. S. Veterans, current Military members, and/or their immediate family members. 

Artist statement:

Please provide an artist statement discussing your military service or your military service (as a family member). Please include at least a couple paragraphs stating:  Why you create what you create? What or who motivated you to begin your creative journey?  How do you feel when you create?  What or who inspired you to create? 

You may explain your cultural and/or social perspective as it applies to your artwork. You may provide future plans for your work. You may provide goals for your work.  You may provide inspiration or motivation for others to create. 

You may provide suggestions to the community as how you see the creative process helping others and how it can be implemented.  You may promote your non-profit or for-profit business.

If you have a store front or website for your art products please provide. If you plan to sell art products please make them available for sale during the exhibition run, such as T-Shirts, cups, prints, or stickers. Provide a link to your store front indicating current items for sale.

Note: AVAFEST2021 or the Estrada Garcia Gallery have no means of manufacturing individual art items for sale. The manufacturing of art items for sale is the responsibility of the Artist. AVAFEST2021 and the Estrada Garcia will ONLY help facilitate the sale of the items through our marketing, promotions, and online venues during the exhibition run. 

NOTE: This information is not used for the judging of the artwork, it will only serve to provide a context between YOU and YOUR artwork. 

Promotion and Marketing:

AVAFEST2021 will advertise and promote the exhibit, host concurrent opening receptions, and implement educational and community-building programs throughout the exhibition run.

Eligibility:

• This call is open to all emerging and established artists that are U. S. Veterans, current Military members, and/or their immediate family members residing in the U.S. or abroad. 
• $25.00 to submit per category. 
• Each artist may submit up to five pieces, per category: dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and the written word.
NOTE: On Checkout you can only select one category, this means you will need to reapply using the applicable information for the separate category.  

• All mediums accepted.
• Work must be original.
• All visual artwork accepted work must be wired and ready to hang or install (use D-Rings please no sawtooth handers) and be ready to ship if sold during exhibition run.

Selection Process and Schedule:

Deadline to Submit: September 1, 2021
Preliminary Review by AVAFEST2021: September 5, 2021
Notification of Artists to Exhibit: October 1, 2021
Installation: Week of October 10, 2021, if selected for in-person exhibition you will be contacted with further details, otherwise high-quality images and videos must arrive to AVAFEST2021 no later than October 10, 2021.

Application Materials:

1. An artist statement (less than 3000 words) discussing your military service or your military family member’s service. Please include a couple paragraphs stating why you create what you create. 

2. An image of military or family member. 

3. A copy of your current resume or CV, if available.

4. A link to your online portfolio via website or social media. This is the easiest way to view the submissions that have a video context due to bandwidth issues. 

5. Digital images of up to five individual works of art for exhibition. Image identification list for each digital image provided, include title of work, date of work created, one to two sentences describing of work, medium, dimensions with and without frame and approximate weight for each work of art.  Recommended image size is between 500-800kb, 300 dpi. 

6. Video submissions must adhere to the following: Up to 5 Video or verbal records of your performance and/or written word submissions, not to exceed 15 minutes in length, media formatting must be in MOV or MP4, format using Café guidelines. The resolution minimum 640 x 480, maximum resolution 1920 x 1080. Aspect ratio 4:3 or 16:9. The maximum file size is 2G. Exceptions to time only applies to theatre productions.  Send link for your submission. IF this is not possible provide link to online source. 

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria