Greetings Plein Air Painters! The deadline for applying to be featured in our September Exhibition is only 2 weeks away!!! Please read the submission details below so you can be included in this wonderful event. We look forward to another great year!
HOW TO APPLY
Unlike previous Pacific Northwest Plein Air application processes, this year’s will be conducted entirely online. All applications must be submitted by midnight (Mountain Time) on June 30, 2009. Columbia Center for the Arts will not accept applications directly. Applicants are asked to submit 6 digital images and an artist statement through
http://www.callforentry.org. Please visit the website for complete instructions on how to apply. There is no fee to use this website. If you are new to CaFÉ, please allow yourself enough time to become familiar with the application system and requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
Any resident of the United States is eligible to apply. However, submitted artwork must have been painted on location in the Pacific Northwest: British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, or Montana.
LOCATION
The Pacific Northwest is Plein Air Painter Paradise. Each year, artists gather in the Columbia River Gorge to take in the stunning beauty of its black basalt cliffs, ribbon-like waterfalls, and lush fir forests. In November 1986, Congress recognized the unique beauty of the Gorge when it made it the nation's first National Scenic Area. In a very small area, there is a diverse range of climate zones for artists to paint. Nestled along the Columbia River, the town of Hood River sits between the two snow capped volcanoes Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Only a 10 minute drive to the East takes you to the Transitional Zone where the Cascade Mountain Range meets the Desert. The High Desert and Deschutes River are 35 minutes further. To the West, visitors can wander the temperate rain forest and discover alpine lakes and streams. Portland is 1 hour West of Hood River and the scenic Oregon Coast is 2.5 hrs West of Hood River.
SELECTION PROCESS
Phase 1: Artists interested in being featured in the Plein Air Show in September need to apply by the June 30 midnight mdt deadline, and be pre-screened in order to be invited to the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Exhibition. During this initial review, a screening committee comprised of regional art collectors, artists, and arts professionals will evaluate the submitted images to determine if the artist will be invited to participate in the exhibition in September. Thirty artists will be selected based on the plein air images they submit. However, the submitted images are not necessarily pieces which are committed to the show; it is our expectation and hope that the selected artists will create new pieces specifically for the exhibition and participate in the hosted Paint Out Event. All artists who apply will receive electronic notification of the results of the screening process. Notification will be sent to the email address supplied when applying through CaFÉ.
Phase 2: The Artists identified by the screening committee will be featured in the September exhibition. Accepted artists are highly encouraged to participate in the paint out event during the week prior to the show opening. Submitted work does not have to be completed during the paint out. All artwork must be original in concept and executed by the artist within the last two years. Compositions taken from published material or involving copyright infringement issues will not be considered. No student work under supervision is eligible. No work previously featured in the Columbia Art Gallery will be accepted.
Artists may deliver up to 6 pieces, with the understanding that there may not be room for all entries in the show, at least 4 pieces will be shown by each accepted artist. Accepted artists will receive follow up instructions including a detailed prospectus and a site map of the Paint Out locations.
IMPORTANT DATES
April 28 - CaFÉ begins accepting applications
June 30 - Last date to submit application via CaFÉ Web site
July 15 - Notification e-mailed
Aug. 27 - Aug. 31 - Paint Out dates
Aug. 31 - Artwork to be delivered to the gallery no later than 5pm
Sept. 4 - Exhibition opens
Sept. 27 - Exhibition closes
AWARDS AND PRIZES
1st Place • 2nd Place • 3rd Place
Artists Choice • People’s Choice
Prize details to be announced at a later date. The juror for the 2009 Pacific Northwest Plein Air Exhibition is Ned Mueller. Ned is a respected member of the Plein Air Painters of America, a resident of the Pacific Northwest, and an exceptional judge for Plein Air painting.
SUBMISSION
Fine art media will be accepted in the following categories:
Oil • Acrylic • Watercolor • Pastel
DEFINITION
For this exhibition, at least 85% of the painting must be completed onsite and outdoors to be considered “Plein Air.”
SIZE
Artwork, including frames, shall not exceed 50 inches in either direction. Minimum image size 2” x 3”.
PRESENTATION
Artwork must be professionally framed, wired and ready for hanging. Required details include: Wire in good condition, flat D-rings used on frames, cleaned up canvas edges without visible staples. No work will be accepted with screw-in eye hooks or metal tooth hangers. If you don’t know what these are - please ask and we will be happy to explain.
Separate unconnected pieces may not be entered as one unit. When displayed together, they need to be within the 50” size limitation or they will be displayed as separate artwork.
SALES
Work must be FOR SALE and priced with intent to sell.
• 60% to the artist
• 40% commission supports Columbia Art Gallery, a non profit community art gallery
SHIPPING
If you live outside the local area and wish to ship a piece to or from the show, all packaging, shipping, insurance and related costs are the responsibility of the artist. Artist is to provide all packing material (box, foam, label) for artwork that will be mailed back to artist after the show. Artist will also make arrangements in advance to cover shipping costs.
EXHIBITION DELIVERY AND PICK UP
All hand-delivered artwork must be delivered to Columbia Art Gallery prior to or on Monday, August 31 between 12:00 and 5:00 pm. You may also ship artwork in advance to arrive prior to or on Monday, August 31, 2009 to Columbia Art Gallery, 215 Cascade Street, Hood River, OR 97031.
All artists will fill out an Artwork Submission form for artwork entries that includes: Artist Name, Title of Work, Size and Price. This list is your receipt for entries, and must be presented when picking up any and all work.
Please pick up all unaccepted entries.
Accepted entries, regardless of whether they are sold, may not be removed until close of show. All unsold works must be removed promptly at the end of the show to make room for the next show. Art not picked up within 60 days after the close of the show will become property of the Columbia Art Gallery.
INFORMATION
We have tried to ensure that the application information and instructions are clear and complete. Please consult the CaFÉ Web site for information about how to prepare digital images or complete an application. For technical support, contact CaFÉ at cafe@westaf.org Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 5 pm Mountain Time. For questions about eligibility and other requirements, contact Columbia Art Gallery at gallery@columbiaarts.org or 541-387-8877 x 115. All questions should be made attention to Cathleen Rehfeld, Show Curator.
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