Artists agree their accepted work will be hung in either the gallery or the gallery hallway at the discretion of the exhibition committee and it must remain on view for the duration of the exhibition.

Contemporary Watercolors Exhibition

Exhibition Dates

November 16, 2023 to January 11, 2024

Opening Reception

November 16, 2023 from 6pm to 8pm

Watercolorists are a determined bunch! As artists, they’ve opted for what is often thought of as the most difficult path – using a medium requiring extremely disciplined technique. When a brush loaded with water and pigment hits the paper, a kind of magic happens. This visual IMMEDIACY captured sometimes results in a glow as reward. Today’s watercolor and other water-based artists push boundaries. They achieve mixed, richly colored, layered transparencies and washes that delight and surprise. For this open-themed exhibition, we invite you to submit up to three of your best works from the last five years.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

OPEN TO BAY AREA WATERCOLORISTS 18 YEARS AND OLDER

SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED: AUGUST 19, 2023 2:00pm

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED: SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 11:59pm

JURYING: Pieces will be blind juried by a panel. No awards given at this exhibition.

ARTIST NOTIFICATION: OCTOBER 6, 2023

ARTWORK DROP OFF DATE: Friday, November 10, 2023 from noon to 2pm (preferred)

or Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 9am to 11am.

ARTWORK PICKED UP DATE: Friday, January 12 from noon to 2pm (preferred)

or Saturday, January 13 from 9am to 11am.

COMMISSIONS: 70% to the Artist, 30% to the Library Foundation.

$35 Fee for up to 3 images. ALL WORK SUBMITTED MUST BE FOR SALE – no exceptions.

WHAT TYPE OF WORK IS ACCEPTED

• Entries must be original and entirely the work of the artist submitting.
• Artwork must have been completed within the last 5 years (2018 to present).
• Paintings must be predominantly water-media on appropriate paper surface; this includes transparent watercolor, gouache, casein, water based inks, and acrylic (as long as acrylic is on watercolor paper and not on canvas). The use of synthetic papers such as Yupo and Tyvek are acceptable. No mechanical means nor reproduction is allowed in creation of submitted painting.
• Paintings copied from commercial or published photographs, other artist’s work or computer produced work are not eligible.
• The library is a family destination and subject matter must be acceptable.
• Accepted artwork may not be shown for sale in another exhibition, virtual or in person, concurrent with this exhibition (11/16/23 to 1/11/24).

SIZE / WEIGHT / FRAMING AND FINISHING

• Minimum paining dimensions of 10” x 14” but please note on the submission the ready-to-hang painting size INCLUDING FRAME for all submitted pieces.
• Ready-to-hang work must not exceed 50 pounds.
• Work must be ready for installation with hanging hardware. The Library has a STAS hanging system so wire and d-rings are mandatory (preferably wired 2 inches from the top of the frame so that the piece lies flat against the wall rather than project out if wire is half-way down the frame when hung). No sawtooth hangers are permitted.
• Pieces delivered without appropriate hardware will not be accepted.

REGISTER ONLINE AT ARTCALL

• All entries are to be submitted digitally via ArtCall. If you do not have an account on ArtCall.org, register online: https://contemporary-watercolo... Provide the details requested to set up an account.
• If you already have an account, go to https://contemporary-watercolo... and sign on with your user name and password.
• Click on ‘Add new submission’.
• You may submit up to three images for consideration per entry fee. Each submission will need to be put into into ArtCall as a separate entry.
• Images must be in 540dpi resolution and a minimum 3600px on longest side. Photo files should be in JPG/Jpeg format. Files must not exceed 5MB.

DELIVERY AND DISPLAY

• Accepted pieces must be labeled with the painting’s title, the artist’s name and contact information (email and phone) securely adhered to the back of the piece in the lower right-hand corner.
• Any wrapping (including paper, bubble wrap, and/or other packing materials) must be removed upon delivery.
• Artists agree their accepted work will be hung in either the gallery or the gallery hallway at the discretion of the exhibition committee and it must remain on view for the duration of the exhibition.
• In addition to the physical gallery and gallery hallway, all accepted artwork may be displayed in a Web Gallery running concurrently with the show. Accepted artists will be asked to provide information asap for our website: a short 70 word or less artist statement and a 70 word or less artist bio. Please also forward a photo of yourself (optional) to be included in an exhibition album for all gallery visitors to enjoy which will also include your bio, artist statement and an image of your piece.
• By submitting the images, accepted artists agree the artwork, in whole or in part, may be used by the Library for publicity in various forms including print, online and social media.
• Any sales and sales tax will be handled through the Belvedere Tiburon Library Foundation which will retain 30% of the purchase price. The Belvedere Tiburon Library cannot guarantee any sale of artwork.
• Volunteers will handle your work with utmost care. The library has insurance coverage but also strongly recommends exhibiting artists also carry their own insurance.

Questions? Please contact Brenda Bottum at art@beltiblibrary.org. We look forward to reviewing your submissions.

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