Bristol Art Museum Announces

A National Call for Art

A JURIED EXHIBIT

“Breadth and Depth”

Earth, Water, Air, and Fire

Accepting artworks that can be mailed in a flat envelope.

On View: February 4 - March 24, 2024

Artist Reception on Sunday, February 11, 2024  |  2:00 to 4:00

"Breadth and Depth: Earth, Water, Air, Fire," is a national juried exhibit that challenges conventional boundaries, inviting artists to create artwork that expresses ideas about the natural world. Our goal with this exhibition is to venture into the intricate interplay between the elemental forces of nature and the profound depths of human consciousness. We are seeking submissions that capture the essence of "Breadth and Depth," and we kindly request that the artwork be suitable for mailing in an envelope no larger than 12”x15” (no boxes, please). The artwork can vary in size, from small to large when unfolded, additionally both the envelope and its contents can be considered as one unified artwork. (Including the envelope, as part of the art is not necessary, but an option) We invite you to embark on this creative journey, pushing the limits of artistic expression and embracing the tactile experience.

·      Given the requirements of the exhibit, all work will be pinned (no holes in work) or adhered to the walls, suspended, place on a pedestal or on the floor. The artist may supply their own installation system or rely on the Museum.

Theme:  "Breadth and Depth" beckons artists to immerse themselves in the elemental realms of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, transforming these primal forces into visual expressions that evoke contemplation, wonder, and introspection. Our theme encourages an exploration of the profound connections between the fundamental building blocks of our world and the depths of artists' emotions and perceptions. Through your artwork, we invite you to delve into this harmonious fusion, creating pieces that not only captivate the senses but also explore the essence of existence itself.

Cash Awards: TBA

Juror: KAREN DRYSDALE HARRIS

https://www.karenharrisart.com/work

KAREN DRYSDALE HARRIS is a Jamaican-born watercolorist and oil painter based in Rhode Island. She attended Rhode Island School of Design where she earned her BFA. Her primary sources of inspiration are nature and the memory of her Jamaican roots. Her work strives to express both the colors and the gentle quiet of the Caribbean. She is especially interested in how her lost memories can be triggered by nature. 

Karen was recently in So,So Rhode Island and the Providence Monthly Magazine. She was awarded first place at the 34th Annual Rhode Island Open at the Warwick Center for Arts. She attended I-Park Foundation's artist residency, and was recently featured in GoLocalProv.com Lifestyle section artist-to-know - Inside Art with Michael Rose.

Harris was one of the artists featured in The Black Biennial, at RISD Museum. Harris has had solo and group exhibitions at the GREEN SPACE Gallery at TF Green Airport, Sutton Gallery, Cheshire Academy, Imago Foundation for the Arts, AS220, BankRI Turks Head Gallery, and Johnson Wales University Bridge Center Gallery along with multiple group shows throughout Rhode Island, Maine, and Connecticut.

Submission Criteria

• Up to three pieces may be submitted:
  • $30 for the first entry
  • $40 for two entries
  • $50 for three entries.
• Submitting artists must reside in the USA and be at least eighteen years old.

·      The deadline for online submissions is midnight, Sunday, December 3, 2023.

·      Artists will be notified via email once the results are ready to view in their profiles.

·      All work must arrive at the Museum via US Postal Service by Friday, January 19^th (no Fedex and no UPS accepted).

·      Exhibit is on view Saturday, February 4 – Sunday, March 24, 2024.

The Artwork

• Artists are invited to submit artworks that fit within a flat envelope of 12”x15” or smaller. Maximum size envelop is 12”x15”.
• Your artwork can include the envelope, but it is not required.
• All work must be sent through the United States Postal Service. 
• Although not required, the envelope itself can also be considered part of the artwork and may be manipulated, or transformed to enhance the overall presentation.
• All work must be original.
• Accepted mediums include but are not limited to drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, photography, mixed media, and small-scale sculpture. (No video or time-base works.).
• Each artist may submit up to three artworks for consideration.
• All decisions by the juror are final.
• Works submitted should relate to one or more of the elemental themes: Earth, Water, Air, or Fire while expressing the artist’s emotion and perception on the concept.
• Artists are encouraged to explore symbolism, textures, colors, and conceptual interpretations that evoke the essence of these elements.
• Please include a brief artist statement (200 words maximum – in the Description Field on entry form) that explains your creative process and how your artwork aligns with the theme of "Breath and Depth." 
• Images files must be jpg and under 4 mb. For best results, image files should be at least 1920 pixels on the longest side (min 800) @ 72 dpi. For help with your entries, contact onlinejuriedshows@gmail.com or 888-666-1351
• Work received must be accurately represented by images submitted online.
• Artist must agree that their artwork will be pinned or mounted to a wall. Accepting work that suspends from the ceiling. If the work requires special hardware the artist must supply it
• Artists may make their works available for sale. All sales of artwork are negotiated between the artist and the collector. No commission is taken by the Museum. The Museum will provide all collectors with the artist contact information. 

Mailing or In Person Delivery & Drop-Off

• Artist must agree to mail artwork through the US Postal Service or hand deliver (no Fedex and no UPS accepted).
• All accepted artworks that are mailed must arrive at the Museum via US Postal Service by Friday, January 19^th.
• All accepted artworks being hand delivered must arrive between Noon and 3:00pm on Thursday, January 18^th or Friday, January 19^th. The Museum’s address is 10 Wardwell Street, Bristol, RI 02809 

• Return of work. Artist MUST include a prepaid return label with their original packaging.

Jury Process

• All work will be juried using the online images submitted by artists.
• All juror’s selections are final
• The Museum carries insurance for the artwork while it is in the building, not while in transit.

Pick Up of Art Work

·      Hand delivered artwork must be picked up at the Museum on Monday March 25, Between noon and 3:00pm

·      Artwork cannot be stored at the Museum beyond the end of the exhibit. 

·      Artwork that was mailed to the Museum will be returned by mail with the artist’s pre-paid label.  Artwork will be processed for return the first week of April.