Prospectus
The Visual Arts Center's
10th Biennial National Art Exhibition
2016 NAE AT A GLANCE
Entry into the 2016 NAE will begin June 1, 2015 and continue through 5:00 pm EST on December 4, 2015. All entries will be submitted via Juried Art Services. Use of JAS is free for applicants. JAS provides a comprehensive "Help" menu as well as telephone and email support. Artist notification will be made by email in late December. If accepted into the 2016 NAE, you will receive further instructions by email regarding receiving and other important information.
THE VISUAL ARTS CENTER
One of the nation’s most prestigious juried exhibitions of traditional two-dimensional media, this show is produced by the Visual Arts Center, which is located in the heart of Punta Gorda along beautiful Charlotte Harbor. Punta Gorda is geographically centered in Southwest Florida between Sarasota and Naples, an affluent, art-buying market. The show’s dates coincide with our greatest population of seasonal residents. The 1,000 member Visual Arts Center has brought arts and culture to its community through multi-media classes, state-of-the-art jewelry and pottery studios, workshops, lectures, demonstrations and art festivals. The Visual Arts Center also boasts an outstanding gift shop and art library and has two galleries exhibiting year-round.
IMPORTANT DATES IN 2015
June 1: Online entry begins
December 4: Online entry closes at 5:00 pm EST. Notification by EMAIL will occur in late December.
IMPORTANT DATES IN 2016
January 22, 23 & 25: Receiving for shipped and hand-delivered work from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Visual Arts Center
January 29: Exhibit opens to the public
February 4: “Toast the Winners” Champagne Reception at the Visual Arts Center
March 12: Last day of Exhibit
March 14 &15: Pick up hand-delivered work from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; return shipping begins
AWARDS
The works selected for the show will be determined on the basis of digital images. Awards are based upon actual artwork.
Best of Show: $2,000
Second Prize: $1,000
Third Prize: $750
Bowles Award for Portrait Excellence: $750
(Traditional 2-D mediums: drawing, painting, pastel only)
People’s Choice Award: $1 per vote (50/50 split between Visual Arts Center and winning artist)
Additional monetary awards for excellence and merit will be given at the discretion of the judge. Total prize money will be in excess of $7,000.
JUROR JEFFREY T. LARSON
Jeffrey T. Larson is a classically trained fine artist. He works both in-studio and en plein air. He is an A.R.C. Living Master, winner of multiple national awards, and guest instructor at The Atelier in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Larson's work will be particularly familiar to readers of The Artist's Magazine. His paintings entitled "Bread Rack" and "In the Light of Life," respectively, won 1st Place in the Still Life/Floral category of the magazine's 2013 and 2012 Annual Art Competitions. He and his family live near the south shore of Lake Superior, having converted an old school in Northern Wisconsin into their home. Mr. Larson is currently showing in galleries on both coasts and has held multiple one-man exhibits throughout his career. These exhibits feature still life, indoor and outdoor figure work, landscapes, and portraits. He credits a sound, classical training and 35 years’ worth of learning from his mistakes to the foundation of his ability to paint in such a wide variety of genres and styles. Much of his work and more detailed information about Mr. Larson can be found on his website: www.jeffreytlarson.com.
Judge's Statement: “I believe all art is about conveying one individual’s idea, whether it’s a thought or just an emotional response to something poignant and beautiful. If what excited and inspired the artist enough to spend the time to create it is conveyed through visual language to the viewer, I consider it a successful work of art.”
Jeffrey T. Larson will give a still life demo January 28, 2016 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Cost is $30 for VAC members; $40 for non-members. Please visit our website www.visualartcenter.org for further information.
Juror Jeffrey T. Larson at work on “Vintage”, completed in 2014.
ELIGIBILITY
This exhibition is limited to two-dimensional paintings and drawings in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, charcoal, colored pencil, graphite and mixed media. The work must have been completed in the last three years and cannot have been accepted into either the Visual Arts Center’s 2014 National Art Exhibition or the Visual Arts Center’s 2013 National Faces & Figures Exhibit. Computer generated art, photography and fiber/fabric art are not eligible. There are no size restrictions; however, work must not weigh more than 60 pounds. Artists must be at least 18 years of age to enter.
ENTRY PROCEDURES
You may submit up to three (3) entries for jurying. Entry must be made online through Juried Art Services (www.juriedartservices.com). Your full entry (including non-refundable payment and image uploads) MUST BE COMPLETED by 5:00 pm EST on Friday December 4, 2015 in order to be considered. No entries or applications will be accepted by email, regular mail or in person. The entry fee is $35 for the first submission and $15 for each second and third submission. All artwork must be for sale. Work will be sold at the price stated by the artist on the entry form. The Visual Arts Center’s commission on all sales is 30%.
DISPLAYING OF EXHIBIT WORKS
• All works must be either gallery wrapped (canvas with stapled edges exposed is NOT acceptable) or properly framed using glass or gallery quality Plexiglas.
• Art must be ready to hang with securely fastened picture wire and screw eyes. The center of the wire should be a minimum of 3” from the top of the frame when hung.
ACCEPTED WORK
All entries will receive notification of juried results BY EMAIL in late December. Artists whose work is accepted into the exhibition will then receive instructions for shipping and delivery. The VAC reserves the right to return work that does not meet the specifications herein. Any work that differs from accepted entries will be disqualified upon receipt. No work may be withdrawn before the close of the exhibition.
ORIGINALITY POLICY
Only original works may be submitted to this exhibit. This means that the subject of the entry must be a concept entirely developed and executed by the submitting artist. Duplications of another’s photograph or art, whether by machine or paint, is considered copyright infringement. Any work found to be a duplication will be removed and any awards revoked. Reproductions, including giclées, of your work are not eligible.
RELEASE & AGREEMENT NOTICE
THE VISUAL ARTS CENTER WILL EXERCISE THE SAME CARE WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY EXHIBITED AS IT DOES IN SAFEGUARDING ITS OWN PROPERTY, BUT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO ANY WORK DURING THE EXHIBIT AND RELATED ACTIVITIES. EACH PARTICIPATING ARTIST HEREBY AGREES TO RELEASE AND HOLD THE VISUAL ARTS CENTER AND ITS AGENTS (INCLUDING STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS) HARMLESS FROM LOSS OR DAMAGE TO THE ARTIST OR THE ARTIST'S WORK ARISING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS EXHIBIT OR RELATED ACTIVITIES. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE PHRASE "LOSS OR DAMAGE" INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THEFT, MISTAKEN LABELING, DAMAGE BY A GUEST OR PATRON, DAMAGE BY THE VAC OR ITS AGENTS OR DAMAGE DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
PUBLICITY
All entering artists agree to allow the Visual Arts Center to use their artwork in advertising, in press releases, on our website, and in any other promotional opportunities. Care will be taken to give each artist and work proper credit.
CONDITION OF SALES
All artwork must be for sale. Sales will be encouraged and work will be sold at the price originally stated by the artist on the Entry Form. There will be a 30% commission on all sales.
THE VISUAL ARTS CENTER
The Visual Arts Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the creation and enjoyment of the arts in Southwest Florida. Founded in 1961 by local artists, its mission is to inspire, explore, create and promote the visual arts. It is supported solely through membership dues, class fees, special events, annual gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants, including annual grants from the Visual Arts Center Endowment Trust. Membership is open to all.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact the Visual Arts Center at 941.639.8810 or email info@visualartcenter.org.