City of St. Charles Will Become an Art Gallery in September
The city of St. Charles will become a gallery for visual and film artists this fall, as the St. Charles Arts Council hosts a “neXt gallery” citywide arts event as well as a pop-up art gallery at venues throughout the city.
The Charlie’s Center for the Arts event will take place from Sept. 11 to Sept. 14 and is open to visual artists in any media and to film artists. The pop-up gallery will run from Sept. 5 to Sept. 28, and its theme is “What’s Black and White and Re[a]d All Over?”
Visual and film artists are invited to submit their work for jurying. Artists must submit images by Aug. 10. More information about the event may be found on the SCAC web site.
Entries can be in any style or medium, but should have a connection to the theme, which could include:
- Graphic art
- Cartoons/comics
- Any medium or mixed media work that could include newspapers, such as encaustic, origami, etc.
- Any 2D or 3D work that includes the colors of black, white, and/or red.
- Any 2D or 3D work that suggests an alternative answer to this classic riddle, i.e. “A sunburned zebra”.
FORMAT:
Juried – Jury fee $20 total, regardless of the number of pieces submitted, and regardless of whether the work is submitted for one or both of the galleries. Fees and nonrefundable and can be paid through PayPal on the SCAC’s web site – click on the Donations page. They may also be mailed to: St Charles Arts Council, 2 East Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174.
SUBMISSIONS:
Number of pieces of art per artist: Artists may submit up to 15 pieces for jurying. Jurors may select one or more pieces from each artist.
Images for Jurying: If you wish to submit an entry, please send, via email, jpg images of the artwork that you would like to enter in the gallery/show. Each image should be 500 KB or less in size for ease of sending, receiving, and jurying. Any questions about or help with this requirement, please contact the St Charles Arts Council at 630.443.3794 or ArtistLiaison@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org.
Include for each image:
- Title of the piece
- Medium
- Dimensions
- Selling price
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Images must by submitted for jurying by Aug. 10, 2014.
- Artists will be notified of the jury’s selection on or by Aug. 15.
- Galleries will open: noon Friday, Sept. 5
- Opening Reception: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12
- Gallery will close at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.
EXHIBITION/SALE DETAILS:
The gallery will be staffed by volunteers and artists. It is not mandatory for artists to staff the gallery, but it is strongly encouraged.
The artwork will be in the gallery on consignment.
The artist exhibition fees are:
- 1 to 7 pieces accepted into the gallery – $45
- 8 to 15 pieces accepted into the gallery – $90
The St Charles Arts Council cannot take a commission on artwork sold. Artists will receive 100 percent of the selling price of their work. Illinois state sales tax will be collected by the SCAC, and it will be the responsibility of the artist to pay to the State. The SCAC has liability insurance to cover the insurance value of the art in the gallery. All artwork must be ready to hang/install. Sculpture pedestals/stands must be provided by the artist. All artwork must be for sale. Delivery and pick-up of the artwork will be the artist’s responsibility – either in person or mailed.
There is a comprehensive promotional plan for the event and the gallery that includes a public-relations campaign, a social media campaign, and cross promotional opportunities with local retailers, restaurants, and arts organizations/businesses. The program website is neXtgalleryStCharles.org. All artists in the show will be included on the website. Artists’ names will link from the neXt gallery website to artists’ websites or other electronic sites.
About the St. Charles Arts Council
The St Charles Arts Council is a 501(c)(3), registered not-for-profit Illinois corporation whose mission is to create an organization that serves and promotes the arts and cultural activities in St. Charles, to the mutual benefit of the arts and the community. The SCAC is staffed entirely by volunteers. Contact the SCAC for information at 630.443.3794 or atinfo@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org.
About the City of St. Charles
St. Charles, located in both DuPage County and Kane County, is 35 miles west of downtown Chicago. More than 2,100 businesses employ over 34,200 people, consisting of a balanced mix of retailers, restaurants, and manufacturing facilities. The city of St. Charles was recently named one of the “150 Great Places in Illinois” for the combined architectural work of the City Municipal Center, the Main Street Bridge and the historic Hotel Baker.
The city’s recently completed 2014 Strategic Plan includes the following Action Plan: Market and promote St. Charles as a friendly, appealing destination, characterized by activities, events, arts, and culture. Capitalize on artistic and cultural resources by supporting local talent and lively venues and activities. Encourage collective civic endeavors to broaden the variety of attractions and events.
SOURCE: St. Charles Arts Council press release
