"MAPPING IN SOMERVILLE" EXHIBIT

WHAT: Call to Artists for "Mapping In Somerville" Exhibit
WHEN: Feb. 15-May 15, 2006
WHERE: Throughout Mayor's Offices and City Hall

"Mapping in Somerville" will include archival maps of Somerville as well as work by local artists who use cartographic imagery in their work--whether it's maps of galaxies, ocean floor topographies, fictional locales or specific geographic places. Artists who refer to Somerville maps or geography are particularly encouraged to apply! This call is open to artists of all two-dimensional mediums, including painting, printmaking, drawings, photography and mixed media. Both established and emerging artists are welcome to apply. We seek existing art but are also open to proposals for new art. Unfortunately, we cannot offer stipends for newly created work.

To Apply

Apply via email or regular mail.
Email: rachel@somervilleartscouncil.org
Address: Somerville Arts Council/Mapping Exhibit, 50 Evergreen Ave., Somerville, MA 02145

Please write a short paragraph about your work and how you think it fits the theme of our exhibit. If you are proposing creating a new work of art, please summarize your proposal, include a quick sketch of proposed work, and include images of previous work. All applicants should include two to three images of your work, whether it's jpegs via email or slides of prints via regular mail. For each image, include title, dimensions and medium. There are about nine spaces at City Hall for large-scale work and many more spaces for small- to medium-sized work. We will select any where from 1 to 6 works from each selected artist. We will review all applications and make decisions based on quality of work, how well work fits theme, and dimensions of work. We will set up studio visits with selected artists to determine which pieces will be included in show.

Dates

Application Deadline: February 3, 2006
Tentative drop off date for work at City Hall: Feb. 15, 2006
Reception date: Thursday evening, March 16, 2006

About City Hall Exhibits

When Mayor Curtatone came into office, he was eager to have locally-produced art hanging in his offices. The Somerville Arts Council was happy to comply and we launched a series of City Hall art exhibits. These exhibits, ranging in theme from encaustics to landscapes, have been very successful so far. Employees and City Hall visitors are enthusiastic; a few artists have sold work; and weOve received some good press. The work in City Hall hangs in public spaces on the first floor and on stairways throughout the building. Work also hangs in the MayorOs offices and in the lobby of the Strategic Planning and Community Development on the third floor. Some work may hang within offices that are not open to the public (although we usually have exhibit receptions when all offices are open to the public).

Guidelines

• Shows hang for three months
• All work must be ready to hang. Work does not necessarily need to be framed but should have wire attached for hanging
• Artists are required to drop off and pick up work at City Hall. The Somerville Arts Council will contact you regarding the dates and times.
• Please have a label attached to the back of each work that gives your name and work title.
• If you would like your packing material returned, please put your name on it.
• We will ask you to email us information so that we can create text labels to hang next to each of your works. Label information will include: name, title, medium and email.
• We may ask you for 300dpi digital images of your loaned works for press purposes.
• Although we cannot include prices for work, we will include your email on labels so that interested parties may contact you.