BITE identity and humor
June 23, 2011 to July 30, 2011
Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston, VA
Application Dates
Feb 11 to Mar 31 '11
Application Fee
$35.00
(see prospectus for details)
Notification Date
Apr 18, 2011

Prospectus

Presented by: GreaterRestonArtsCenter (GRACE)

June 23 – July 30, 2011

Application Deadline: March 31, 2011

LOCATION: Greater Reston Arts Center, 12001 Market Street, Suite 103, Reston, VA 20190

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

BITE is a juried exhibition open to all artists eighteen years of age and older who live or work in VA, MD, DC, WV, DE, or PA..

"LAUGHTER AND TEARS ARE BOTH RESPONSES TO FRUSTRATION AND EXHAUSTION. I MYSELF PREFER TO LAUGH, SINCE THERE IS LESS CLEANING UP TO DO AFTERWARD." KURT VONNEGUT

Described by the juror, Jefferson Pinder "Humor is one of the best tools to open dialogue about heavy issues dealing with race and identity. Perhaps the fact is that there is so much serious work defining societal problems that some of the freshest and most inventive ways to probe oppressive elements in our culture are to find an opposite. Indeed, it could be argued, that comedians have always been at the forefront of educating the public about social injustices. Humor must be honest and truthful; otherwise, few people can connect to the irony.

From Steve Colbert to Dave Chapelle, our society relishes the ability of humor (and in some part absurdity) to make us look inward and to examine our surroundings. For this exhibition, artists are asked to use irony, sarcasm, and wit to shed light on issues of personal struggle in mainstream society. Artists are asked to create and share work that challenges historical, societal, and cultural norms that dictate expectations of who we are supposed to be. The selected work does not have to be 'funny' as much as an insightful. "

ABOUT THE VENUE

BITE will be presented at Greater Reston Arts Center located in Reston Town Center, a busy commercial and residential district in Northern Virginia. The arts center has an open contemporary space, concrete floors, moveable walls, and large store-front windows offering twenty-four hour views from the street. Selected works, including video, will be visible at night. Greater Reston Arts Center is one of the premier non-profit gallery spaces in Northern Virginia with a thirty-seven year history of presenting thought-provoking exhibitions accompanied by stimulating educational programs.

ABOUT THE JUROR

JEFFERSON PINDER is a Washington-based video artist who seeks to find black identity through dynamic circumstances. His experimental videos and films feature minimal performances that reference music videos and physical theatre. Pinder's work provides personal and social commentary through popular music and surreal performances that underscore themes dealing with blackness. Although he considers his work to have a regional style, he stresses the universality of his themes and travels around the globe seeking inspiration. Pinder recently spent time in Senegal, Mexico, and Vietnam working on projects that deal with race, identity, and social mobility.

Pinder received his BA in Theatre from the University of Maryland and studied at the Asolo Theatre Conservatory in Sarasota, FL. In 2000, Jefferson returned to the University of Maryland to receive his MFA in Mixed Media. His work has been featured in museums throughout the U.S. and abroad including The Studio Museum in Harlem, NY; the Wadsworth Athenaeum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT; the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA; and the Zacheta National Gallery in Warsaw, Poland. In Washington, DC Pinder's work has been shown at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. He is represented by G Fine Art in Washington, DC and Patricia Sweetow Gallery in San Francisco, CA. Currently, Pinder is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland.

ELIGIBILITY

All artists, 18 years and older, living in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia are eligible.

ACCEPTABLE WORKS

All media. Work installed in the gallery must fit through standard double doors, 8'H x 6'W. All work must be ready for installation with proper hanging devices if needed and instructions where necessary.

TO ENTER

Each application requires an on-line application through Juried Art Services www.juriedartservices.com and must include the following:

  • Non-refundable application fee: $10 GRACE member, $35 non-member
  • 10 works or 3 videos (see special note regarding new media)
  • Resume
  • Artist's statement
  • Link to Artist's website (optional)

IMAGES

Artists must submit 10 images in any media, not previously exhibited at GRACE. The juror will consider all images for exhibition therefore all works must be available.

Label each image with the following:

  • Artist's Name
  • Title
  • Date
  • Medium
  • Dimensions
  • Sales Price or if NFS, insurance value

VIDEO and NEW MEDIA INSTALLATION SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Note: Video/film artists must also complete an on-line application and include 3 still images

(1 per project).

In addition, artists must provide a link to an online site where videos can be viewed or send 3 DVDs
(1 per project) with maximum of 5 minutes duration each to the address below.
Artists are solely responsible for testing the functionality of their DVD entries.

Please send all video/films to:

Greater Reston Arts Center
BITE
12001 Market Street, Suite103
Reston, VA 20190

ARTIST'S RESUME and STATEMENT

  • Include a brief, one-page resume with your name, address, phone number, email address, and website at the top.
  • Include a brief (no more than 500 words) statement about the artwork you are submitting.

ENTRY FEES and PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

$10 for GRACE members
$35 for non-members
Become a GRACE member at: https://www.restonarts.org/support/Membership.htm

Application Fees are non-refundable and due by the deadline. Fees are payable online by credit card or via mail by check.

Mail checks payable to: Greater Reston Arts Center

Send checks to:

Greater Reston Arts Center
BITE
12001 Market Street, Suite 103
Reston, VA 20190

ARTWORK DELIVERY

Artwork must be hand delivered according to the calendar to:

Greater Reston Arts Center
12001 Market Street, Suite 103
Reston, VA 20190
703.471.9242

CALENDAR

  • Deadline for entries: midnight, EST, Thursday, March 31
  • Juror's decision notification: Monday, April 18
      • Artists will be notified via email through Juried Art Services.
      • Invited artists' names will be posted on the GRACE website.
  • Delivery of work: Beginning Tuesday, June 14 by arrangement
  • Exhibition opens: Thursday, June 23
      • 11am
  • Opening Reception: Saturday, June 25
      • 5 – 7pm Juror's Talk at 6pm
  • Public Program – TBA
  • Exhibition closes: Saturday, July 30
      • 5pm
  • Pick-up of work: Monday, August 1 or by arrangement
      • 11am – 5pm

EXHIBITION CATALOG

GRACE will publish a small exhibition catalog featuring the artists in BITE identity and humor.

SALES

A 33.3% sales commission will be retained by GRACE on all sales.
Work can be designated Not for Sale.

LIABILITY

Works will be insured by GRACE from receipt of artwork at the gallery through pick-up date and time.

INSTALLATION

Artists are solely responsible for delivery of their accepted work on the installation date and de-installation of their work on the pick-up date. The curatorial staff will design the exhibition layout and install the works.

AGREEMENT

All accepted works must remain for the duration of BITE.

GRACE reserves the right to photograph accepted works for publicity and educational purposes. GRACE reserves the right to reject works that differ from the submitted images. GRACE is not responsible for works left after the pick-up date following the close of the exhibition. Submission of an entry constitutes understanding and agreement with all the conditions set forth in this prospectus.

ABOUT GRACE

Greater Reston Arts Center was founded in 1974 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching community life by promoting involvement and excellence in contemporary visual arts. GRACE provides a year-round schedule of exhibitions, educational programs for all ages, Art in the Schools, a Summer Art Camp, and special events including the nationally recognized Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival.

Visit www.restonarts.org to learn more, join GRACE, and become a fan on Facebook.