Call for Submissions: 2021 Biennial Exhibition
2021 Hat Art Club and Medicine Hat Potters’ Association Biennial Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: September 25 to December 31, 2021
Location: Medicine Hat Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre Art Gallery
Who can submit?
The exhibition is open to members of Hat Art Club and Medicine Hat Potters’ Association in good standing with their organization as of January 31, 2021
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
June 1, 2021
Where do I make my submission?
Artwork can be left in the designated area at the Hat Art Club Studio in the Medicine Hat Cultural Centre
SELECTION PROCESS
Curatorial selection will take place in June 2021
NOTIFICATION PROCESS
Artists will be notified of pieces selected for exhibition by July 1, 2021
EXHIBITION LAYOUT
The exhibition has two areas of focus:
The Art Gallery foyer will feature a salon-style wall of artwork featuring a retrospective from the past 75 years of the Hat Art Club.
The Art Gallery will feature an exhibition of new works rooted in the theme of “Our New Normal: Life During COVID-19.”
Theme
The 2021 Esplanade Biennial Exhibition invites club members to create new works in response to life over the past year. Some artists are experiencing this as a time of growth, others are facing significant challenges and barriers. How has the pandemic permeated your creative practice? This exhibition provides an opportunity to manifest self-reflection into visual expression.
Parameters for Pieces
While there are no specific restrictions on media, materials, number or sizes of the submissions from the Esplanade, please confirm with your club the amount of space for your entry prior to submission.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ARTISTS
Artists are responsible for any insurance required on pieces, and shipping the works to and from the Cultural Centre or Esplanade, as well as their collection on the dates provided.
Workshop: PREPARING YOUR ARTWORK FOR EXHIBITION
In Spring 2021, the Esplanade Art Gallery’s curator Xanthe Isbister will be hosting consultation workshops with the Esplanade Art Gallery team on art presentation. Topics will include:
mounting
matting / framing
vinyl
display options for 3-D works
EVENTS: EXPLORING THE CREATIVE PROCESS WITH XANTHE ISBISTER
Hat Art Club members are also invited to take part in one-hour monthly meetings supporting the development of their new work starting in January.
Through these meetings artists engage with the curatorial process, receiving encouragement as they conceive, plan and create their works. These meetings are currently taking place via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“I feel grateful we have an opportunity to stay connected through virtual capacities, though they are not ideal, it provides links to a community whom we can rely upon and connect with in regards to our creative endeavours.”
-Xanthe Isbister
These sessions will provide insights to new artists on developing a body of work for exhibition. Topics for the meetings will be selected by the group. Meetings include discussion of the shows concept and suggestions to extend your creative process.