Call for Artists: "Unplugged" challenge at ArtsWest in July

"Unplugged"
ArtsWest Artists Association Member Exhibition
June 26 - July 24, 2011

About the AWAA Member Exhibit:
Society heavily depends on technology to get news, promote business, socialize, organize and research. While there are clear advantages to utilizing social media for promoting artwork and connecting to buyers, the downfall can be that it wastes precious art producing hours. Artists have obviously been creating and selling artwork well before the onset of current technology, it’s not as if it is a requirement to function in the art world… or is it?

If you’ve ever been at work or school when the servers go down for more than an hour, had a bad internet connection or experienced the government turning off the internet, it may have led you to wonder what would happen if there was a world-wide interruption or what if Y2K really happened? Would you experience a euphoric feeling of freedom from the unfettering of social network bondage, or would you panic and go into a hyperventilated state of withdrawal?

It is with these ideas that we propose you take the “Unplugged Challenge.” This is a 1-week break from TV, internet, social media, and texting (i.e. cell phones will be used only as phones). Being unplugged also includes no news media. You may choose to take a complete vacation and get out of town. Or you may decide that it is imperative that you stay in town because of job related responsibilities, which you can use internet and technology for, just not for social networking and personal “plugging in.” During this week, artists will create new work that will result from the trials and tribulations of being “Unplugged.”

Details and submission info:
In order to participate in this year’s annual AWAA exhibition, Unplugged Challenge, please submit 3 – 5 images of your current work along with your artist resume and bio/statement. Images must be jpegs sized to 1000 pixels for the longest length and no more than 2 MB in size and saved to a CD.

Free to Apply, but you must be a member of AWAA to exhibit.
In order to participate in the exhibition you must be a member of AWAA. Once you are notified of your selection for the exhibition, the cost for membership is $45. A portion of the membership dues is a tax deductible donation to ArtsWest Playhouse & Gallery, a non-profit theater and gallery in West Seattle, and $10 is allocated to AWAA to assist in funding monthly events, demos and lectures.


Important dates for July 2011 Exhibition, Unplugged Challenge:

Monday, March 14th - Deadline for delivered submissions (not a postmark deadline)
Friday, March 18th - Artists will be notified of acceptance into the exhibit
Monday, April 11th – Monthly AWAA meeting / artwork critique & exhibition discussion
Friday, May 13th - Deadline for accepted artist members to complete the 1 week “Unplugged Challenge.” The artwork created during this time will be curated into the AWAA member exhibition at ArtsWest, given available space. The ArtsWest Gallery Director will have final approval of all artworks displayed.
Friday, May 27th - Images due for curating and exhibition catalogue prep.
Sunday, June 26th - Deadline for delivery of artwork to ArtsWest
Thursday, July 14th - ArtWalk Artists’ Reception, 6pm


About AWAA (ArtsWest Artist Association):
The ArtsWest Artists Association provides a visual artists' network in West Seattle. Artist members meet monthly at ArtsWest, unless otherwise noted, where they network and exchange ideas; participate in critiques, demos and workshops; and learn about professional opportunities.

Membership is open to persons who are actively involved in the visual arts and are supporters of the ArtsWest organization.

Benefits of becoming a member include:
Monthly meetings where artists network, participate in and learn about a wide range of art topics, mediums and activities
Opportunity to participate in the annual members’ exhibition
Inclusion in exhibition catalog for exhibiting members
Online representation of your artwork at http://www.artswestartists.org/
Member discounts to select ArtsWest theatre productions
Opportunity to apply for grants under ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery 501c3 status. (Must have approval of ArtsWest liaison / ArtsWest Development Dir.)
Access to ArtsWest Gallery Director, also the liaison for the group

Download your entry form online today to apply for the show and learn more about ArtsWest Artists Association, at: http://www.artswestartists.org/ .


Deadline for your free submission is March 14th!