Call to Artists

Juried Exhibits

September Exhibit Theme: Mechanical Elements

Exhibition Dates: September 4 - September 30, 2009
PRIZE: Overall Best of Show, Cash Prize in the amount of $1,000

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is seeking submissions of 2- and 3-dimensional art work for its ongoing juried exhibits, with opening receptions held the first Friday of each month during downtown Fort Myers' Art Walk events. For the September 2009 exhibit, the artistic theme is based on Anthony Burgess’s play, "A Clockwork Orange," a theological drama dealing with ethics and morality. Images related to clockwork, industry, mechanisms and machinery are appropriate.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center brings world-renowned artists and performers to Southwest Florida for entertainment and educational outreach programs. It hosts concerts, art festivals, charity benefits, and gala events to support the arts and local community. Its outreach programs benefit local children and the disadvantaged who would not otherwise have the opportunity or access to experience world-class cultural enrichment at such an intimate level.

By providing a venue for local emerging artists, the Art Center serves as a platform for budding artists to showcase their work. Florida Arts, Inc., founded in 1997 by Jim Griffith as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, leases and operates the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for the City of Fort Myers.

The Art Center holds the annual Florida Arts Festival and numerous other exhibitions, gala events, and performances. Florida Arts, Inc.’s mission is to nurture innovation and excellence in the visual and performing arts through these events and community outreach programs.

In addition to its artistic mission, Florida Arts, Inc. works to preserve history and restore the building which houses The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, located in the historic federal building in downtown Fort Myers. The Old Federal Building opened in 1933 as a Post Office, the building was converted to a courthouse in the 1960s. It was later vacated and left in disrepair until Florida Arts, Inc. received a 99-year lease from the City of Fort Myers to repair and revitalize it. Last year, over 60,000 visitors toured the building. The structure itself is a work of art, an impressive example of neoclassical architecture, with twenty-foot ceilings and 8,000 square feet of available exhibition space.

While there are no specific guidelines for dimensions or sizes of the pieces that will be accepted for exhibit, the curator encourages innovative and unique installations - art work of immense proportions can be hung from either its massive walls or from its 20-foot ceiling, or displayed on its magnificent granite floors.

PREPARING YOUR ENTRY
Online Entries Only: When preparing your entry, send one image per piece of artwork with up to three entries per person. All entries must be digital files uploaded via our Official Entry Form. Image files cannot exceed 500KB or 800 pixels. The file format must be JPEG.

ENTRY DEADLINE
Digital images of submissions must be received via e-mail no later than Monday, August 10, 2009.

ENTRY FEE AND PAYMENT
$30.00 for up to three (3) pieces of art work. You may enter online using a credit card. Credit cards will be charged within 90 days of contest deadline. Your credit card charge will be notification for receipt of your entry. Each piece of artwork must include the following information: Title of Work, Artist Name, Medium, Dimensions, Weight, Sales Price, and Artist Statement (250 words or less).

ACCEPTANCE
Art work in this exhibition will be judged according to presentation, artistic merit, creativity and excellence. Entries will be pre-judged and then finalists will be chosen by our panel. All work may be accepted or rejected for display at the discretion of Florida Arts, Inc.

NOTIFICATION
Artists whose pieces are selected for the exhibit will be notified via e-mail on Monday, August 10, 2009. The results will not otherwise be made public until they are published on the SBDAC website.

JUDGING
On September 4th, a special panel of jurors will select the winner of the Best In Show. All properly prepared entries will be viewed and judged. The decision of the jurors is final. The winning piece will be announced at the Opening Reception. The winner will be named on the website by Monday, September 7th.

DELIVERY OF ART WORK AND DELIVERY DEADLINE
All accepted pieces must be delivered ready to hang, including any special hanging or displaying devices that need to be used. Attach a copy of the completed entry form to each piece. Please note that you must include return shipping and reusable packaging. Art work must be shipped to arrive on Monday, August 24, 2009 to: Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 2301 First Street Fort Myers, FL 33902

LIABILITY
By submitting an entry to this exhibition, participants agree that Florida Arts, Inc., will insure all art work for the full sales price while the pieces are in its physical possession. The artist is responsible for all shipping costs and insurance costs during shipping to and from the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Florida Arts, Inc., will have no liability for the protection of submitted work during shipping. We are not responsible for lost mail.

ACCEPTANCE/USE
All art work may be accepted or rejected for display at the discretion of Florida Arts, Inc. Florida Arts. Inc., assumes the right to photograph any accepted work for promotional purposes only, unless requested otherwise. All work must remain for the duration of the show.

SALE OF ART WORK
All art work must be available for purchase. Purchases from the exhibition are as follows: 75% to artist and 25% commission to Florida Arts, Inc. Florida Arts, Inc., will process all sales.

Click here for Online Submission Form.
(After your application is completed you will be directed to the payment options page).