Prospectus

The Beauty of Blackness
FINE ART SHOW

September 3 - 6, 2020

Application Dates: January 20, 2020 - April 21, 2020   •   Application Fee: $35.00   •   Notification Date: May 22, 2020

A premier indoor Fine Art Show that showcases some of the finest in Black and African American art. It is located in the heart of Fort Collins lively Down Town in the newly remodled Opera Galleria atrium, 123 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524. The show takes place during Labor Day weekend and Fort Collins Monthly First Friday Art Walk where all of Fort Collins will be out and about. The show will feature 50 to 70 national and international Black and African American artists. Our mission is to teach, evoke and arouse the aesthetic senses.  Inviting the world into the amazing beauty of black creativity at it’s finest. Sharing the wonders of a rich heritage of what it truly means to be black. The Beauty of Blackness Fine Art Show delivers the best talent in the area of Fine Art.
 

There will be two reception a Black Tie sponsors night only on Thursday September 3, and Friday a free evening reception for the artist open to the public September 4, at the Opera Galleria at, 123 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524 in the heart of Down Town. This will be held during the cities monthly art walk where all of Fort Collins is out and about in Down Town.
 

Built in the 1880s, the Opera House was one of the most notable structures in the city on a contiguous block of commercial enterprises known as the Welch Block, according to the local history archive. The opera house was built over street level shops and had an entrance highlighted by stone pillars and arches. Frescoes and a drop curtain depicting a scene from the San Juan Mountains decorated the interior. It is now home to retail shops an office condominium. The Opera Galleria houses the winter farmers markets, craft shows, art exhibits, chamber music concerts and other public events. The atrium also serves as access to offices and acts as a pedestrian connection from North College Avenue to the Civic Center Parking structure behind the building.

 AWARDS
The following awards will be presented at the show: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and two Honorable Mentions, Best Display of Art, Artwork is judged Thursday between 12:00 am and 3:00 pm. Names of award winners will be announced Thursday evening reception.

SHOW FORMAT & HOURS
The show will take place at the Opera Galleria at, 123 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524 and will host approximately 50-75 artists in the following format:

Wednesday, September 2: Load-in*/ Set-up (7am-9pm)

Thursday, September 3: Show open to public 11pm – 6pm, Private Sponsors Black Tie reception 6-9, tickets $75

Friday, September 4: Show open to public 9am – 9pm First Friday Art Walk Artist Reception 

Saturday, September 5: Show open to public 9am – 6pm

Sunday, September 6: Show open to public 10am – 5pm

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
4 images within a single media category as well as 1 complete display photograph (or accurate, detailed drawing) and an Artist Statement.

Your art images should be high resolution images – they should be 300 dpi or greater.  The longest side of any image should be at least 1400 pixels long, and no greater than 4000 pixels. Staff recommends that you submit your 4 artwork images without watermarks (the signatures or other marks that artists sometimes place over their art.)

CATEGORIES
All artwork must fit the criteria for one of the following categories and have been completed within the last four years. Entries in more than one category require separate applications. Booth sharing is prohibited unless both artists collaborate to create every piece! All artwork, of course, must be produced by the artist named in this application.

In all categories, 90% of artwork must be original; only 10% of all work can be prints, reproductions, giclées, OR original art in one other category. A print must be an original piece by the artist and signed/numbered. NOTE: Wearable art (clothing or accessories) and household items are prohibited.  The sale of notecards is prohibited.  The purpose of this event is to introduce and promote the sale of fine art to a discerning community. 

​​​LISTING AND DESCRIPTION OF
ACCEPTABLE MEDIA AND CATEGORIES
Categories included in this Show are, drawing, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, paper, photography, printmaking, sculpture.

• DRAWING AND PRINTING: Work created using dry media such as chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, and crayons or from fluid media, such as ink applied by brush or pen.  Printed works from which the artist creates the plates, stones or screens and pulls the prints are accepted. (must be signed and numbered)
   
• FURNITURE: Functional works of wood and other materials.  No part of the finished pieces shall be the result of mass production.
  ​
• GLASS: Functional and non-functional items are accepted.  No part of the finished pieces shall be the result of mass production.  Pressed glass objects are not permitted.
   
• JEWELRY: Personal adornment.  Original and unique designs incorporating any of the following: gold, silver, gemstones, glass, wood, clay and other non-precious materials. No part of the finished pieces shall be the result of Kits or mass production. Must be all handmade and designed by the artist.
   
• MIXED MEDIA: Includes 2-D and 3-D non-sculptural work, incorporating more than one type of physical material or processes in its production, i.e. an etching that is then painted or a collage of handmade paper and photography.
   
• PAINTINGS AND PRINTMAKING: Original 2-D work created in oils, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
   
• PHOTOGRAPHY: Limited edition prints from the artist's original film or digital file.  The edition quantity shall not exceed 200 of any one image.
   
• SCULPTURE (LARGE): Defined as over 3 feet tall, functional and non-functional, 3-D work in any medium. 
   
• SCULPTURE (SMALL): Defined as less than 3 feet tall, functional and non-functional, 3-D work in any medium.
   
• WOOD: Works crafted from wood, excluding furniture and sculpture that are hand tooled, machine turned or machine carved.  No magnifying glasses, pens, bottle stoppers or catalogue merchandise are permitted.
   
• NOT PERMITTED: strung pearls, craft clay, and use of commercial casts or molds; commercially available pendants and brooches, catalogue merchandise.  Loose stones may not be sold.
  ​

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Works produced with commercial kits (molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms, or other commercial methods) are not permitted.
   
• Artwork must have been created within the last 4 years, defined as works conceived between 2016 to present.
   
• Exhibited work must be consistent with the digital images or slides submitted by the artist and follow Show guidelines.
   
• Paintings, graphics, prints, and photographs must be appropriately framed or matted and must be displayed in a suitable panel, portfolio or stand.
   
• Only the work of the juried artist or collaborating team may be displayed and/or sold.
   
• Artists are asked not to display discount signs.
   
• Work produced with commercial kits (molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms, or other commercial methods) is not permitted.
   
• Use of SALE signs is prohibited. Artists may price work as they see fit, including verbal price negotiation directly with the customer, but artists are not permitted to display discount or mark-down signage in their booth.
   
• REPRODUCTIONS may only count for 10% of over all booth.
   
• Reproductions include, but are not limited to, the following non-original medium: silkscreen, lithography, intaglio, and giclee prints, signed and numbered. (No photocopies)
   
• Whether framed or unframed, these must be clearly and individually labeled REPRODUCTION or LIMITED EDITION REPRODUCTION. Please note that limited edition and giclee prints of no more than 5 from one source will be permitted.
   
• Reproductions must not be displayed in the same browse bins as original art work.  However, exhibited (bins, hanging, etc.), reproductions must not comprise more than 10% count of your total booth display.

SET UP AND DISPLAY INFORMATION

EQUIPMENT & SETTING UP
The Beauty of Blackness Fine Art Show does not provide booth displays, or other equipment, so artists must provide their own Pro Panel display as well as lights, electricity will be provided. Pro Panels will be the only display walls excepted. If you have questions, please email thebeautyofblacknessfas@gmail.com

Artists may set up their display, including equipment and art, on Tuesday, or on Wednesday the day before the show. Artists may request their preferred set-up time in the application. Artists who set up on Tuesday are also allowed to complete or touch up their displays on Wednesday.

EXHIBIT SPACE REQUEST
Unlike other shows, a space can be requested but there is never any guarantee. Please make sure that you understand this before applying. The Art Show Committee looks at several factors such as: visual impact, flow of foot traffic, and “shaking up” the look of each new show aesthetically. Again, show staff seeks a clean, uncluttered, gallery-type look in art displays. Show staff determines placement of artists based on display photos/drawings.

KEY DATES

• Application Deadline: April 21, 2020 - $35 application fee.
   
• Jury Process: April 22- May 16, 2020.
   
• Jury Notification: All applicants who apply through Juried Arts Services will be notified of their status via Juried Art Services. Please make sure to check your JAS profile by May 23, 2020.
   
• Booth Fees Due: Booth fees must be paid in full by June 30, 2020.  

SHOW FEES

Application Fee

• The application fee is $35 (non-refundable).

Booth Fees and What’s Included:

• Regular 10’ x 10’ Booth Fee - $1500
• Corner upgrade - $500 (Limited)
• Double-wide 20’ x 10’ Booth Fee - $3000 (Limited)

Standard Booth Package Includes the Following:

• 10’W x 10’D x 8’H booth space
   
• Booth signage – name and booth number
   
• Listing in the digital show program guide
   
• Booth number listing on exhibitor floor map
   
• 2 complimentary tickets to sponsors reception
   

What’s Not Included:

• Fees do not include, WIFI, displays, floor covering, tables (will include chairs an electricity) *Artists  
• Booth sharing is not permitted

ARTIST ATTENDANCE
All artists are required to be present and represent their work, and only their work, in person, on all days of the show! 

RULES FOR PARTICIPATION
The Beauty Of Blackness Fine Art Show strongly encourages both established and early-stage artists to apply. Before applying, please make sure your work meets the following criteria:

1. All work must fit within an acceptable media category. Acceptable media categories include: drawing, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, paper, photography, sculpture and wood. All work must be original and made by hand or with the use of appropriate tools. The Beauty Of Blackness Fine Art Show encourages one-of-a-kind and limited-edition work.
    
2. No commercial reproductions of any kind are allowed. This includes embellished commercially made objects and works assembled (wholly or in part) from commercially available kits.
    
3. Artists are accepted for participation must be in attendance at their booth during the entire show. No agent, dealer, or representative may attend in place of the artist.
    
4. Collaborating artists are permitted, however, any representation other than a true, hands on artistic collaboration is not permitted. Collaborating artists are defined as ‘artists who assist and/or collaborate with the primary artist on their body of work.’ Two artists working on separate bodies of work may not share a booth.
    
5. Artists may only show work in categories selected by the jury. All work exhibited must be of the same body, quality, and category of work that was juried through digital images.
    
6. Artists may apply in a second category, but must submit a separate application for that body of work. Only work that has been accepted by our jurors and/or show management may be shown or sold at the show.
    
7. We ask that participants refrain from using “SALE” or “DISCOUNT” signage at the show. Artists may of course price work as they see fit, including verbal price negotiation directly with the customer, but discount signage is strongly discouraged as it cheapens the show’s image and may encourage customers to haggle over pricing. 

Please note: Individual Artists who wish to apply in two different categories must submit two separate applications and application fees. Both bodies of work must be accepted in order to show/sell both types of work.

Application fees are non-refundable.

All Booth Fees are to be paid in full by June 30th of receiving letter of acceptance or Artist may be moved to waitlist.