Important Dates for the 2023 "Signs of Rural Life" Exhibit
· June 3: Submission deadline
· June 17: Notification of acceptance
· June 21-24: Deliver work to Blue Cat
· July 5-Aug 26: Exhibit on display
· July 7: Opening Reception
· Aug 26-Sept 2: Return unsold work to artists
Awards
· First Place - $250
. Second Place - $175
. Third Place - $125
· People's Choice - $75
Eligibility
· Open to artists of all career levels from emerging to professional, 18 years of age or older
· Submit up to five entries created in the last five years (and not previously shown in Signs of Rural Life); $30 non-refundable entry fee required
· Max Size: no one side larger than 50” (3-D work requiring a pedestal, no more than 20” wide or deep)
· Any media including painting, works on paper, printmaking, photography, sculpture (excluding installation art)
· Works must be display ready (wrapped canvases are permitted, 2-D work must be wired and ready for hanging)
· By entering the exhibit, artists whose works are selected for the show grant Blue Cat Gallery & Studio the right to use submitted images on printed materials, gallery website & social media sites for promotional purposes.
· Artwork accepted for the exhibit must be for sale. Blue Cat Gallery will receive a 25% commission for each work sold from the exhibit. Payment for works sold during the show will be issued within 30 days of the end of the exhibit.
About the Juror: Lauren M Freese
Lauren Freese, Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of South Dakota, earned her Ph.D. in American art history from the University of Iowa in 2017. Her research is interdisciplinary, bringing together art history and food studies. She is currently at work on a book interpreting watercolor illustrations of fruit varietals commissioned by the United States Department of Agriculture between 1886 and 1942.
Small Works for the Gift Shop Gallery
Do you create small original artwork?
Blue Cat hosts a "Gift Shop Gallery" in addition to the featured exhibits gallery space, and is looking for artists who create small pieces such as jewelry, cards, original prints, small pottery pieces and more. Retail prices should be set at $100 or less. Blue Cat retains 25% commission on all sales.
Would you like to include your pieces in the gift shop gallery?
Send jpg images of examples of your artwork to: bluecat.gallery.studio@gmail.com with a brief message expressing your interest and information about the work you create. Blue Cat will respond within 1-2 weeks of inquiry to discuss details with you.
Propose an exhibit
Submit your work to show at Blue Cat
Blue Cat runs exhibits from March to December each year. Most exhibits are scheduled for two months, but exceptions may be made. Submit a proposal for an individual or group show. Include the following information and materials listed below when submitting your proposal.
Deadline: ongoing (currently considering work for exhibits in 2024-2025; gallery closed Jan-Feb each year; possible exhibit dates include: March-April, May-June and Sept-Oct).
Materials and information to include:
- 5-10 images in jpg format for individuals (2-3 images per artist for group proposals)
- Image list: title, medium, size, date, price - pdf format
- Resume/CV - pdf format
- Biography narrative (1-2 paragraphs about you and your art career) - pdf format
- Artist Statement/Inspiration for your work (no more than one page) - pdf format
Where to submit your materials
Email your jpgs (images) and PDF documents to: bluecat.gallery.studio@gmail.com
In the subject line, type "Blue Cat Artist Proposal"
Expect a response within 1-2 weeks of emailing your materials
Call For Artists - Under Two Hundred
November-December 2023 Exhibit
Do you have small "gift-able" pieces in your inventory? Blue Cat hangs a salon-style show during the holiday season with an opening reception coinciding with Wayne's Christmas on Main Street event.
Blue Cat begins reviewing work for the annual show in July.
How to be part of the show?
- All original hand-crafted mediums will be considered: jewelry, ceramics, drawings, paintings, printmaking, sculpture, etc.
- Each work must be priced at $200 or less.
- Send 3-5 jpgs of images that represent the work you would like to include in the exhibit, an image list (title, medium, size, date, price), and a short bio/artist statement to bluecat.gallery.studio@gmail.com
- Type "Under Two Hundred" in the subject line.
- Deadline to submit images: Oct 15, 2023
- If work is accepted, deliver work to the gallery: dates and times to be determined (work may be mailed or shipped but must include a pre-paid return label and NO foam peanuts).
- Blue Cat reserves the right to exclude any work from the exhibit that does not reasonably resemble the images that were accepted.
- Framing optional: Works on paper may be neatly hinge-matted; paintings on canvas may be gallery-wrapped and edges painted. Framed and works on canvas should be wired for hanging. (Any work deemed unsuitable for display will be excluded from the show and returned at the artist's expense.)
For more information:
Email your questions to: bluecat.gallery.studio@gmail.com
Or give us a call: 402-454-5144