this just in from Penelope Moseley June 24

more info on this art opportunity at www.artsculturalcouncil.org.

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Bridging Cultures through the Arts

Virginia-Santa Catarina Chapter of Partners of the Americas invites you to exhibit…..

Partners of the Americas

Partners of the Americas is an active network of committed citizens from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. with more than 30 countries working together to improve the lives of people across the Americas. Partners was founded in 1964 as the people-to-people component of the Alliance for Progress and today is the largest volunteer-based organization in the western hemisphere engaged in international development, cooperation, and training.

Purpose & Outcome of Project

The purpose of the project is to build bridges of understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and traditions through contemporary art and to foster a global artistic community by means of a collaborative arts exchange. Self expression of the individual’s pride of indigenous culture as interpreted for the corresponding Partner State will serve to establish lasting bonds and strengthen relationships between the two populations. One artist from both states will be invited to visit North to South and South to North. They will also be invited to hold workshops for other artists in the state and possibly residencies in area schools. Assistance in the search for interpreters will be provided. This exhibit will be offered for exhibition several venues in each state.

General Information

• The competition is open to both professional and amateur artists, 18 and over, who are residents of the states of Virginia or Santa Catarinia, Brazil.
• Work should be original art. No mass produced prints or photos will be eligible. Hand pulled prints, original digital prints and numbered photos are acceptable provided that they can be displayed as described in “Requirements.” Artists may submit up to 4 works by 35mm slides or CD.
• A total of 20 pieces will be selected Virginia artists and another 20 pieces from Santa Catarina artists. Every effort will be made that these artists should be representative of their entire state.
• It is the intention that all accepted work will be considered final. Slides will be assumed to represent accurately the art work entered. However, the Juror reserves the right to refuse any art not conforming to slide representation. Partners of the Americas reserves the right to refuse any art not conforming to entry specifications.

In lieu of place awards, at least one artist from Virginia and one artist from Santa Catarina, Brazil will be invited to visit North to South and South to North through funding from POA. Your willingness and ability to hold a workshop for other artists in the state and/or residencies in area schools will have a baring on your selection for the exchange, however it will have NO baring on your work being selected for the exhibit.

Although funding for only one artist exchange from VA and one artist exchange from SC is available at this time, if others accepted in the exhibit would like to visit the hosting country, POA members will be available for assisting with arrangements.

Artists whose entries are selected for the exchange will be encouraged to visit the respective country in the year that the exhibitions are being conducted. Arrangements will be coordinated through Partners of the Americas at the chapter level.

Due to insurance price constraints, especially for international delivery, although the utmost of care will be given your artworks, no one coordinating this exhibit will not be held responsible for any loss or damages. Artists will be responsible for insuring their individual works.

Submission Requirements

Specifications for the artwork include: All work must be done on a surface, such as canvas or paper, that would easily roll up and fit into a shipping tube that can accommodate the paintings accepted in the show and be transported as “ carry on” luggage. The canvas or paper should have a 2 ½ inch hem at the top and bottom to accommodate a stretcher lath to be inserted at the site of the first exhibition. Works should not exceed 40 inches in width and 60 inches in length. Hooks will be attached to the top of each lath for mounting.

Each application must include:

1. A current resume for each artist with a brief paragraph proposing a workshop that you would be willing to teach to adults and/or children for residents in Santa Catarina.
2. Up to four 35mm slides (or digital) of work that conforms to the above guidelines. Slides or CD’s must be labeled with the artist’s name, medium, and size of piece.
3. A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage for the return of submissions.
4. Check for $20 made payable to Virginia Partners of the Americas.
5. A 3x5 index card listing the title of each entry, the size, the medium and price, as well as your name, address, telephone number and email address.

Applications must be postmarked or received at the Arts Council of the Twin Counties no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2005.

Delivery of Accepted Artwork: Accepted work may be hand delivered or shipped. Each piece should be tightly labeled on the back with name, address, title, medium and price. If you want your work returned via FedEx, it must be accompanied by a prepaid, completed FedEx shipping form. Shipped work will be returned in the same packing in which it is received. Unless prepaid, shipped works will be returned UPS C.O. D. All accepted work should be shipped to the Arts and Cultural Council of the Twin Counties, 212 W. Center St., Galax, VA 24333.

Due to the nature of the exhibit and complications with customs, artwork will not be offered for sale at exhibition venues. However, every effort will be made to connect art patron with artist for an exchange, once the project is completed.

Estimated Timeline

• September 1, 2005: Submissions must be postmarked or received by the Arts Council of the Twin Counties
• October 1, 2005: Notification of finalists
• November 1, 2005: Deadline for delivery of entries to Penelope Moseley.
• February 1 – October 31, 2006: Exhibitions in VA
• November 2006: Transport all entries to Brazil for exhibitions in 2007.
• Late 2007: Entries returned to artists.