Open Call
for Visual Artists
past Calls
Each year the Black Mountain Center for the Arts presents “Art in Bloom”, a series of events celebrating the artistry and beauty of flowers. Now in its 19th year, Art in Bloom is an extremely popular and highly anticipated event in Black Mountain and the greater Asheville area, making it BMCA’s most important fundraiser. At the core of AIB is an exhibit of locally created artwork which serves as the inspiration for twenty floral designers, who create incredible arrangements based on those works. In the past the artwork selected for the gallery exhibit highlighted artists primarily of the Swannanoa valley and Black Mountain. This year, as a way to celebrate and support the artists of the River Arts District, we have decided to focus exclusively on RAD artists.
Interested RAD artists will be asked to submit two artworks for consideration using a Google form. Artwork will be selected by a BMCA jury, with an emphasis on work that can inspire our floral designers, either through color or design elements. A variety of mediums are desired with a minimum size for wall-hanging artwork of 12” x 12”. Three-dimensional works will also be considered. More information on the Art in Bloom gallery exhibit (showing examples of the range and types of artwork desired) can be found at this website: https://www.blackmountainarts.org/artinbloom history
BMCA will jury the show, selecting twenty artworks and one alternate. This year, in recognition of the financial toll that Hurricane Helene took on RAD artists, BMCA will reduce our typical commission split of 60% (artists)/40% (BMCA) to 90% (artists)/10% (BMCA to cover administrative costs).
BMCA Gallery Exhibit Timeline:
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Call for RAD Artists and submissions accepted February 17 - April 9, 2025
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Selected artists notified by April 11.
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Artists must drop off their work for the show at BMCA on May 23rd or May 27th between the hours of 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
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The show will open Friday, May 30, 2025
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Last day of the show is Sunday, June 22, 2025
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Artwork must be picked up on Monday, June 23rd or Tuesday, June 24th
Benefits for Participating Artists:
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Participating artists will receive one complimentary ticket to the Art in Bloom Preview Party on Thursday, June 19th from 5:00-7:00 pm. The floral arrangements inspired by your artwork will have been created earlier that day!
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The exhibit featuring your artwork and the wonderful arrangements will be open from 10:00-4:00 on Friday and Saturday, June 20 & 21 and on Sunday, June 22 from 12:00-4:00.
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Artists whose work sells during this show will be paid a commission of 90% of the sale price. BMCA will send payment within two weeks of the close of the show.
Entry Deadline:
April 9th
Artist Notification:
April 11th
Questions? Email:
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is seeking submissions for Sustenance, a gallery exhibit that encourages artists to interpret the concept of nourishment. Artists and creators of all levels, ages, and backgrounds will be encouraged to submit their artwork for this show.
Art and food sustain both the creator/provider as well as the connoisseur/consumer. Sustenance encourages artists to interpret the concept of Sustenance, defined broadly as “nourishment” or the “maintaining of someone or something in life or existence”. The show will celebrate the missions of both Bounty and Soul, “Creating communities where everyone has the right and opportunity to eat well, be nourished, and thrive” and the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, “Bringing the arts to the people and the people to the arts”.
Interested artists may submit original artwork for consideration. We will accept 2D work in all mediums including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, fiber, and mixed media, as well as 3D work in ceramics, fibers, metal, wood and/or other sculptural materials. Experimental styles will be considered. Original interpretations of the theme are welcomed and local artists will be given selection preference.
Sustenance will be on display and free to the public throughout the month of April. Artists will be given the option of donating 100% of the sale of their artwork to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts and Bounty and Soul, or receiving a 50% commission of the sale. Proceeds generated from the sale of artwork will be split between the two organizations.
We will kick off the Sustenance show with an Opening Reception which will be free and open to the public on Friday, April 4th. The reception will offer supporters from both organizations an opportunity to meet the artists in the show and celebrate together.
Jurors:
The BMCA Gallery Selection Committee will jury the show based on the stated criteria. They will select 20-30 works for inclusion in this show.
Eligibility:
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You must live in Western North Carolina and preferably the Swannanoa Valley to participate.
Submissions:
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All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
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Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
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All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
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We will request release forms if needed
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Up to two images may be submitted for consideration
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To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of your work.
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Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
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Images must be 5MB or less
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Only digital files are accepted
Entry Deadline:
Tuesday, March 4 @ 5:00 pm
Artist Notification:
Friday, March 7
Questions? Email:
Seeing Red will celebrate the ways in which we see the color red - both literally and metaphorically. Humans have long attributed symbolic meaning to colors which can vary by culture. Red is often associated with love and passion, danger and aggression, anger and power. Seeing Red will explore “red” in all of its complexity and beauty. We seek artists and creators with varied backgrounds and of all ages, who represent the wealth of talent and diversity in our region.
Interested artists may submit original artwork for consideration. We will accept 2D work in all mediums including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, fiber, and mixed media, as well as 3D work in ceramics, fibers, metal, wood and/or other sculptural materials. Experimental styles will be considered. Original interpretations of the theme are welcomed.
The Seeing Red exhibit will be on display in the Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts from May 2 - 23, 2025.
The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
BMCA encourages the sale of works included in the show but works that are not for sale will also be considered. BMCA retains 40% of sales and pays artists 60%. Payments will be issued within two weeks of the closing of the show.
There will be an opening reception on May 2nd from 5:00 - 6:30 pm. Selected artists are highly encouraged to attend.
Jurors:
The BMCA Gallery Selection Committee will jury the show. They will select 20-23 works for inclusion in this show.
Eligibility:
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You must live in Western North Carolina to participate.
Submissions:
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All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
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Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
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All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
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We will request release forms if needed
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Up to two images may be submitted for consideration
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To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of your work.
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Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
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Images must be 5MB or less
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Only digital files are accepted
Submission Fee
The submission fee is $15. Fees are not refundable. If you are unable to pay the entry fee please let us know ( director@blackmountainarts.org) that you are requesting a scholarship. It is important to us that no one is excluded from submitting because the submission fee is a barrier.
Ways to pay:
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Mail a check to:
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The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711
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Pay with cash, check, or credit card in our main office (M-F 10-5)
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Pay via Paypal using the “Donate” button on our website: Paypal account
Entry Deadline:
February 7, 2025
Artist Notification:
February 14, 2025
Questions? Email:
The Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts accepts submissions for solo and group shows from regional artists at any time. If you are interested in being considered for a show in 2025 you may submit your proposal. Our Selection Committee will begin making decisions about the 2025 lineup in the fall of 2024.
Established in 2000, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts is a non-profit community arts center devoted to nurturing all art forms. Located in the old City Hall building, BMCA now supports a community theater, concerts, storytelling, dance, a free-standing clay studio, and 10 gallery shows a year. Just 20 minutes east of Asheville, Black Mountain is a thriving small town with dozens of restaurants, breweries, music venues, and shopping, all in proximity to retirement and vacation communities, two colleges, several retreat centers, and summer camps.
The Upper Gallery at BMCA is 15’ x 23’. Some pieces may also be displayed in the front lobby and/or the landing at the gallery entrance. The space was formerly our town library, but is now uninterrupted white space with 28 light fixtures. Viewing the gallery is free to the public Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm. Visitors may view the gallery while any number of other activities are taking place, from dance classes, to harp lessons, and before or during intermission of our theater and concert performances.
The Upper Gallery at BMCA features the work of local and regional artists on a regular basis. Our Gallery Selection Committee meets annually to review potential exhibits and plan the gallery schedule.
The Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts accepts submissions for solo and group shows from regional artists in the fall each year. If you are interested in being considered for a show in 2026 please check back in September 2025 for submission details. Our Selection Committee will begin making decisions about the 2026 lineup in the fall of 2025. Thank you!
Submissions must include:
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Up to 10 digital files of your work (multiple views for sculpture acceptable)
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A list of titles, medium and size of each piece, and price of each piece
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A resume or bio
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An Artist’s Statement
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Dates of availability for the next 2 years
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA), in collaboration with the Junior Appalachian Musicians Program, invites our community to repurpose music related objects to make art.
Old instruments, CD’s, records, tapes, and sheet music are among the items you might choose to use. After creating your artwork drop it off at BMCA to be included in our community art show entitled REMIX: The Art of Music.
General Information
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Everyone is invited to participate.
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What kind of art? Anything you’d like as long as it’s family friendly and includes some type of music related item. You can use any type of art materials and your artwork may be two or three dimensional. Realistic or abstract; there are no rules!
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Not sure what to do? Here are a few suggestions:
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Use CDs to make a collage
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Paint a picture on top of a record
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Fold sheet music to make origami
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Make a sculpture out of old instrument parts
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Create an assemblage pieces using album covers
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To be included in the show your work must repurpose an instrument, part of an instrument, a CD, record, tape, sheet music or other music related object and it must not contain any lewd imagery or profanity.
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All artworks must be submitted to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts between January 29 - February 6, 2024.
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Late submissions will not be included in the show.
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PLEASE be sure to put your name on your artwork and mark the hanging orientation. Be sure it’s legible! Put it on the front if you’d like others to see it or put it on the back if you don’t want people to see your name.
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You must fill out a release form to be included in the show. You can fill this form out at BMCA when you drop off your work.
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This show is a fundraiser. Artwork submitted for this show will be for sale with proceeds going to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts and the Junior Appalachian Musicians Program. The minimum price for each artwork will be $35, but people will be encouraged to pay more if they can.
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Everyone (whether or not you created an artwork) is invited to the REMIX Opening Reception on Friday, February 9th at BMCA from 5:00 - 6:30.
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Unsold art may be picked up by the artists on February 26-March 1. Any artwork not picked up during this time period will become the property of BMCA and may be displayed or sold again in the future.
Insects are everywhere and they are, by far, the most common animal on earth. Whether they crawl, fly, or wiggle, bugs are essential to life on our planet. But by the end of the century, up to 40% of the world’s insect species may go extinct and many insect populations—bees, grasshoppers, moths, butterflies, beetles, and ants—are already plummeting in ecosystems around the world.
Please Bug Me will celebrate the importance and beauty of insects, while educating our community about what each of us can do to protect bug populations. We seek artists and creators of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds to submit their artwork for this show. Interested artists may submit original artwork for consideration. We will accept 2D work such as paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and collages, as well as 3D work including ceramics, fibers, metal, wood and other sculptural materials. Experimental styles will be considered.
The Please Bug Me exhibit will be on display in the Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts from March 29, 2024 - April 28, 2024. The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
BMCA encourages the sale of works included in the show. Works that are not for sale will be considered, but ones for sale will be given higher priority. BMCA retains 40% of sales and pays artists 60%. Payments will be issued within two weeks of the closing of the show.
There will be a show reception for the artists and general public along with a informative presentation on April 19, 2024. The reception will take place from 4:30-6pm, and the program from 6:30-7:30pm.
Jurors:
The BMCA Gallery Selection Committee will jury the show. They will select 20-30 works for inclusion in this show.
Eligibility:
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You must live in North Carolina to participate.
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Your artwork must include insects in some capacity.
Submissions:
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All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
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Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
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All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
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We will request release forms if needed
-
Up to two images may be submitted for consideration
-
To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of your work.
-
Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
-
Images must be 5MB or less
-
Only digital files are accepted
Entry Fee:
The entry fee is $10.00. Fees are not refundable. If you are unable to pay the entry fee please let us know ( director@blackmountainarts.org) that you are requesting a scholarship.
Ways to pay:
-
Mail a check to:
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The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711
-
-
Pay with cash, check, or credit card in our main office (M-F 10-5)
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Pay via Paypal using the “Donate” button on our website or click here
Entry Deadline: January 31, 2024
Artist Notification: February 16, 2024
Questions
Email: director@blackmountainarts.org
The Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts accepts submissions for solo shows annually. The window for shows in 2024 has closed. If you are interested in being considered for a solo show in 2025, please check our website in the fall of 2024 for more information.
Established in 2000, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts is a non-profit community arts center devoted to nurturing all art forms. Located in the old City Hall building, BMCA now supports a community theater, concerts, storytelling, dance, a free-standing clay studio, and 10 gallery shows a year. Just 20 minutes east of Asheville, Black Mountain is a thriving small town with dozens of restaurants, breweries, music venues, and shopping, all in proximity to retirement and vacation communities, two colleges, several retreat centers, and summer camps.
The Upper Gallery at BMCA is 15’ x 23’. Some pieces may also be displayed in the front lobby and/or the landing at the gallery entrance. The space was formerly our town library, but is now uninterrupted white space with 28 light fixtures. Viewing the gallery is free to the public Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm. Visitors may view the gallery while any number of other activities are taking place, from dance classes, to harp lessons, and before or during intermission of our theater and concert performances.
The Upper Gallery at BMCA features the work of local and regional artists on a regular basis. Our Gallery Selection Committee meets quarterly to review potential exhibits and plan the gallery schedule.
Submissions should be emailed to:
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Include “gallery submission” in the subject line
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Please send one email with all the requested documentation. Please do not send multiple emails.
Submissions must include:
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Up to 10 digital files of your work (multiple views for sculpture acceptable)
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A list of titles, medium and size of each piece, and price of each piece
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A resume or bio
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An Artist’s Statement
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Dates of availability: May and/or August in 2024
Submissions that do not follow these directions and/or include all the requested information will not be considered.
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is seeking submissions for No Boundaries: Watercolors Beyond the Lines, a show that celebrates watercolor in all its forms! Our goal is to showcase our diverse community of WNC watercolorists and their creative approaches to this timeless medium.
Interested artists may submit original artwork for consideration. In addition to traditional watercolor styles, we welcome experimental and mixed media styles for consideration, as long as there is some watercolor element to the piece.
The No Boundaries: Watercolors Beyond the Lines exhibit will be on display in the Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts from July 21 - August 25, 2023. The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
BMCA encourages the sale of works included in the show, but works that are not for sale will also be considered. BMCA retains 40% of sales and pays artists 60%. Payments will be issued within two weeks of the closing of the show.
There will be an opening reception on July 21st from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.
No Boundaries: Watercolors Beyond the Lines will be juried by members of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts’ Gallery Selection Committee.
Eligibility:
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You must live in Western North Carolina
Submissions:
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All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
-
Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
-
All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
-
We will request release forms if needed
-
Up to two images may be submitted for consideration
-
To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of your work.
-
Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
-
Images must be 5MB or less
-
Only digital files are accepted
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $20. Fees are not refundable. Ways to pay:
-
Mail a check to:
-
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711
-
-
Pay with cash, check, or credit card in our main office (M-F 10-5)
-
Pay via Paypal using the “Donate” button on our website: Paypal account
Entry Deadline: June 7, 2023
Artist Notification: June 8, 2023
Artwork dropped off at BMCA: July 18 or July 19 from 10:00 am - 4:45 pm
Unsold artwork picked up from BMCA: August 28 or 29 from 10:00 am - 4:35 pm
Questions
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA) in collaboration with the Black Mountain Library invites our community to repurpose old books to make art. You can pick up a discarded book at the library or BMCA or you can use your own old book. After creating your artwork on or with a discarded book, drop it off at BMCA or the BM Library to be included in our community art show at BMCA entitled Beyond the Binding.
General Information
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Everyone is invited to participate. You can pick up a book at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts or at the Black Mountain Library or you can use your own old book. Books will be available for pickup from November 7, 2022 - January 20, 2023, OR until we run out.
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What kind of art? Anything you’d like as long as it’s family-friendly. You can remove a page or pages from your book to draw or paint on them. You can use pencils, markers, pastels, paint, collage...whatever you choose! You can also create three-dimensional works using the whole book or parts of the book. Realistic or abstract; there are no rules!
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Not sure what to do? Here are a few suggestions:
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Look at the title of the book and create a work that is connected to that title.
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Or perhaps you create a work that represents something about your favorite book.
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Or something else entirely!
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Black out poetry, Origami, and collage are all options too!
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To be included in the show your work must be on a page(s) from a book or use parts of a book and it must not contain any lewd imagery or profanity.
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All artworks must be submitted to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts or the Black Mountain Library between January 23, 2023 - January 31, 2023.
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Late submissions will not be included in the show.
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Please be sure to put your name on your artwork. Be sure it’s legible! Put it on the front if you’d like others to see it or put it on the back if you don’t want people to see your name.
-
You must fill out a release form to be included in the show. You can fill this form out at the library or BMCA when you drop off your work.
-
This show is a fundraiser. Artwork submitted for this show will be for sale with proceeds going to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts and the Black Mountain Library. The minimum price for each artwork will be $25 but people are encouraged to pay more if they can.
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Everyone (whether or not you created an artwork) is invited to the Beyond the Binding Opening Reception on Friday, February 3rd at BMCA from 5:00 - 6:30pm.
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Beyond the Binding will run from February 3 - 24.
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Unsold art may be picked up by the artists on February 27-28. Any artwork not picked up during this time period will become the property of BMCA and BML and may be displayed or sold again in the future.
Beyond the Binding is generously sponsored by
Golden Renaissance: A Showcase of Creative Seniors celebrates the many talented 65+ artists who live in WNC. Our goal is to create an opportunity for senior artists to showcase their craft, giving these talented visionaries a place to share their work with the world (or at least, our corner of it).
Interested artists may submit original artwork for consideration. We will accept 2D work such as paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and collages, as well as 3D work including ceramics, fibers, metal, wood and other sculptural materials. Experimental styles will be considered.
The Golden Renaissance exhibit will be on display in the Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts from March 31, 2023 - April 21st, 2023. The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
BMCA encourages the sale of works included in the show, but works that are not for sale will also be considered. BMCA retains 40% of sales and pays artists 60%. Payments will be issued within two weeks of the closing of the show.
There will be an opening reception on March 31st from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.
Juror: Dr. Mark Sidelnick
Mark Sidelnick has over 40 years’ experience in K-16 education as an elementary and middle
school classroom teacher, K-12 art teacher, school counselor, and professor. He holds a Ph.D. in Art Education from Purdue University and is a professor of Art Education at UNC-Asheville. Dr. Sidelnick was the recipient of the NC Art Education Association Art Teacher of the Year Award, has been
recognized twice as Higher Education Art Teacher of the Year, was a Recipient of the UNC-
Asheville Feldman Award for community service, and the Student Affairs Faculty
Appreciation Award.
Dr. Sidelnick will be selecting 25-35 works for inclusion in this show.
Eligibility
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You must live in Western North Carolina
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You must be at least 65 years of age
Submissions
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All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
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Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
-
All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
-
We will request release forms if needed
-
Up to two images may be submitted for consideration
-
To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of your work.
-
Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
-
Images must be 5MB or less
-
Only digital files are accepted
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $25.00. Fees are not refundable. Ways to pay:
-
Mail a check to:
-
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711
-
-
Pay with cash, check, or credit card in our main office (M-F 10-5)
-
Pay via Paypal using the “Donate” button on our website: Paypal account
Entry Deadline: January 31, 2023
Artist Notification: February 14, 2023
Questions
Golden Renaissance is generously sponsored by
Valley Viewpoints: Images from the Swannanoa Valley will celebrate the diverse people, places, and perspectives of our valley. We seek artists and creators of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds to submit their artwork for this show. Valley Viewpoints will showcase original artwork that is reflective of life in the Valley. What does life here look like to you?
Interested artists may submit original artwork for consideration. We will accept 2D work such as paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and collages, as well as 3D work including ceramics, fibers, metal, wood and other sculptural materials. Experimental styles will be considered.
The Valley Viewpoints exhibit will be on display in the Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts from April 28 - May 19, 2023. The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
BMCA encourages the sale of works included in the show, but works that are not for sale will also be considered. BMCA retains 40% of sales and pays artists 60%. Payments will be issued within two weeks of the closing of the show.
There will be an opening reception on April 28th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.
Jurors
The BMCA Gallery Selection Committee will jury the show. They will select 20-30 works for inclusion in this show.
Eligibility
-
You must live in Western North Carolina and preferably the Swannanoa Valley to participate.
Submissions
-
All submissions must be original artwork conceived and produced by the artist
-
Submitted work must be one-of-a-kind
-
All submissions must be free from copyright infringement
-
We will request release forms if needed
-
Up to two images may be submitted for consideration
-
To enter, fill out this form and upload up to two images of your work.
-
Images must be no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side and no smaller 960 pixels
-
Images must be 5MB or less
-
Only digital files are accepted
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $10.00. Fees are not refundable. If you are unable to pay the entry fee please let us know (director@blackmountainarts.org) that you are requesting a scholarship.
Ways to pay:
-
Mail a check to:
-
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711
-
-
Pay with cash, check, or credit card in our main office (M-F 10-5)
-
Pay via Paypal using the “Donate” button on our website: Paypal account
Entry Deadline: EXTENDED to March 7, 2023
Artist Notification: March 17, 2022
Questions