Call to Artists: September 2023

From Books to Brush Strokes: Art Inspired by Stories - A literary art exhibit in pARTnership with theMarion County Literacy Council

Description of Exhibit: Visual and literary art are at once wonderfully distinct and deeply kindred forms of expression: visual artists have been long inspired by the written word, and storytellers often find their muse in powerful works of drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and film. This exhibit pays homage to the ancient, profound, and playful relationship between word and image, and explores the myriad ways that an artist's imagination can seize upon a piece of text - a moment in a book, a line of poetry, a passage, a quote - and render it visual.

The Marion Cultural Alliance, in pARTnership with the Marion County Literacy Council, invites local creatives to submit artworks inspired by literature and the written word to be displayed at Brick City Center for the Arts in downtown Ocala for the month of September, in honor of National Literacy Month.

Medium: We invite and encourage local emerging and professional artists working in any medium to participate. Work can be 2D or 3D, including but not limited to paintings, drawings, textiles, photography, printmaking, sculpture, pottery, collage, metalwork, fabrics, glass, wood, or stonework.

Eligibility: Must be a current MCA Artist Member (Local artists can join anytime mcaocala.org)

Entry Guidelines:

• All entries are to be submitted digitally to https://bookstobrushes.artcall.org no later than Sunday, August 20th by 11:59pm. No physical or mailed submissions will be accepted. Artists must follow the online application process and include:
  • Artists’ Contact Info (Name, phone, address, email, bio, and social media handles/website)
  • A brief statement, including the TEXT that inspired your piece(s)
  • Web-ready images for each entry (jpg, png, or pdf format) showing the full piece & detail
• Each artist may submit TWO (2) pieces for consideration, measuring 20” inches or less in any direction. All work must be original; no giclee or reproductions. Only entries which adhere to the theme and size requirements will be accepted. Incomplete entries will be automatically disqualified.
• All 2D work must be gallery ready, properly wired with suitable hanging mechanisms to support its weight and framed, or created on a gallery wrapped canvas. All 3D work must be assembled by the artist before it is accepted, and must include an ID card to identify the piece.
• All work that is shown must be for sale, split 70% to the artist and 30% to MCA/MCLC. Proceeds will be equally divided between MCA & MCLC to help further their missions in Ocala/Marion County, Florida.
• Selection of work is at the discretion of the Gallery Director & Gallery Committee. We reserve the right to reject work for the exhibition that does not meet MCA’s requirements or does not match the intent of the exhibit. Please read our full Submission Guidelines in the next page before submitting.

Deadline for Submissions: Sunday, August 20^th, 2023 (by midnight)

Status Notification: Friday, August 25^th, 2023 (by 6pm via ArtCall email)

Exhibit Dates & Location: September 1 - 30, 2023 | The Brick Gallery (23 SW Broadway St.)

Drop Off Date: Monday, August 28^th, 2023 (11am – 4pm)

Artists’ Reception*: Friday, Sept. 1^st, 2023 (5 - 6pm) – *For members, artists & friends only!

Pick Up Date: Monday, October 2^nd (11am – 4pm) | The Brick Gallery

Contact: MCA Gallery Director; Ashley Justiniano | Email: gallery@mcaocala.com

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