Call to Artists: 65th Annual Wabash Valley Juried Exhibiton

Deadline: April 11, 2009
Show Dates: July 11 - August 29, 2009
Terra Haute, IN

The Swope Art Museum in Terra Haute, Indiana is calling for entries for the 65th Annual Wabash Valley Juried Exhibition. The juror is Ann Albano, the executive director of the Sculpture Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

For a complete prospectus click [here].

For more information about the Swope Art Museum click [here].

For more information on the Sculpture Center click [here].

Call to Artists: South Bend Museum of Art - Biennial 25

Deadline: March 25, 2009 (postmark)
Show Dates: May 30 - August 23, 2009
South Bend, IN

The South Bend Museum of Art is calling for artists to enter its Biennial 25 juried exhibition. This competition is open to artists residing in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Two-, three-, and four-dimensional media are eligible, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video, sound, fibers, ceramics, and printmaking.

The juror for the Biennial 25 is William Lieberman, Director of Zolla/Lieberman Gallery located in Chicago's North Gallery District.

Entry fee is $30 for 6 images. Exhibiting artists are allotted approximately 24' of running wall space.

$1500 in Merit Awards and $1500 in Purchase Awards. A full color brochure will be printed featuring the exhibiting artists.

To download an entry form click [Here].

For more information contact Jason Lahr at SBMAcurator@gmail.com.

To visit the South Bend Museum of Art online click [Here]
To find out more about the Zolla/Lieberman Gallery click [Here].

Call to Artists: All Souls Unitarian Church Juried Art Competition

No Deadline Listed
All Souls Unitarian Church
5805 E. 56th St
Indianapolis, IN

On April 12 and April 19, 2009, All Souls Unitarian Church will be holding a Juried Fine Arts Show for exhibitors of paintings, sculpture, pottery, and photography. All items must be for sale.

Tables and chairs will be provided but artists need to provide their own easels or display boards. For more information and to apply contact Sharon Merriman by email at smerriman@vzphmlaw.com.

Call to Artists: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis Celebrates Black History Month

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is celebrating Black History Month by having special programming each Saturday. On Saturday, Feb. 21^st from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. they will highlight local African American artists at the museum. Each artists will be given 1-2 tables and easels to display their work to families at the museum. They would also like the artists to share their artists’ statements and other philosophies surrounding their work.

Although unpaid, this is a great opportunity for artists to advertise their work to a large audience. Artists are encouraged to bring brochures, business cards, and other information to give to the museum visitors. This is a great opportunity to reach approximately 6000 visitors in one day.

For additional information, contact:

Jill Gordon, Administrative and Youth Volunteer Coordinator
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
3000 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
JillG@childrensmuseum.org
(317) 334-3809

For more information about the Indianapolis Children's Museum click [Here].

Call to Artists: Historic Shaw Art Fair

Deadline: March 1st
Show Dates: October 3 - 4, 2009
St. Louis, MO

The Historic Shaw Art Fair is calling for artists to apply. This Art Fair is highly rated by artists for warm hospitality, a beautiful setting, hard working volunteers, and good sales. It is held in one of St. Louis' finest historic neighborhoods - the Shaw Neighborhood (specifically from 4100 to 4200 blocks of Flora Place). Stately homes along a tree-lined parkway provide a gracious setting for artists and vendors.

The Art Fair takes place on the same weekend as the Best of the Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden, which is within walking distance from the fair. The Art Fair is promoted to the entire metropolitan area via direct mail, newspaper, TV, and radio advertising. Last year 135 artists exhibited and the Art Fair was attended by approximately 10,000 visitors.

All entries must be original, creative work executed by the artist. Not eligible for entry are mass-produced items, items made in "workrooms," and any items made from commercial kits or molds.

Booth spaces are 10 x 10' and cost $270.

The jury consists of a gallery owner/curator and two working artists. A total of $6150 in prize money is available.

From May 2009 through April of 2010 www.ShawArtFair.com will feature each accepted artist's name, medium, one image, and contact information that the artist chooses. This will be linked to various St. Louis regional and art related sites.

To get more information about the Historic Shaw Art Fair and to apply online click [Here].

For more information on the Best of Missouri Market click [Here].

Exhibition Opening: Giselle Trujillo - Ballroom Dance

Opening Reception: Saturday, February 21, 2009
Where: JCC Art Gallery
Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community Center
6701 Hoover Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46260
When: 7 - 9:00 pm

Join Artist Member Giselle Trujillo as she opens her show, Ballroom Dance (Feb 21 - Mar 14), at the JCC Gallery. Her work is primarily figurative sculpture, often made of chicken wire, plastic, and concrete. The opening reception will also feature a performance with students from the International School of Indiana and dancer Rebeca Hrlic featuring the music of Gustavo Atilano.

To find out more about the JCC Gallery call (317) 251-9467 or click [Here]. Be sure to hurry in to view the JCC Gallery's current exhibition, Inside the Mural (Jan 10 - Feb 13), which features paintings by Artist Member Joani Rothenberg.

Merchant Accounts 101 - How to accept Credit Cards at Art Fairs and Online

I have been receiving some inquiries about how to go about getting a credit card machine to use while selling work at art fairs and online. What you need to do is to set up a merchant account. This is similar to a credit card application except that the service provider will want you to be able to prove that you are a business.

There are many options for many different sizes of business. Just be honest with the provider and pay close attention to the details, making sure they are suited to your needs.

You will also need to purchase a means of "swiping" the credit card. The old manual imprint devices are still in use but it is strongly recommended to use a digital machine which will immediately process the request. This will reduce the chance of fraudulent credit cards and payment disputes.

Some more things to consider:

1. Real Time Solution Price and Credit Card Terminal Costs - any fees associated with the purchase and use of the actual credit card reader or software

2. Gateway Fee Costs - This applies to online sales. The key is to lookout for hidden costs. These can include Chargeback fees (from disputed sales), Termination charge (canceling your service agreement), , Annual fees, and Set-up fees (carefully study the terms before signing a contract)

2. Statement Fees - Fees asscoiated with issuing your statements

3. Monthly Minimums, Transaction Fees, and Discount Rates - be sure to understand the terms of your agreement to avoid unexpected fees. These comprise a number of dues, fees, assessments, network charges and mark-ups merchants are required to pay for accepting credit and debit cards

4. Tech Support Fees and 24/7 Customer Service - Be aware that in some agreements using tech support will cost you extra.

There is no shortage of information on the web about merchant accounts. In addition, there are many sites specifically set up to compare different options. Here are some links:

The Art Fair Sourcebook has a list of artist friendly vendors [here].

For more in depth information click [here].

You will find many providers, it might not be a bad idea to start with a bank with which you already have an account. Good luck with your search - and feel free to post any additional opinions, advice, in the comment section.

Call to Artists: Indianapolis Art Center Outreach Department seeks Mural and Sculpture Artists

Deadline: March 20, 2009
Indianapolis Art Center
Indianapolis, IN

Call for Artists:

The Indianapolis Art Center’s outreach department is looking for 3 Indianapolis artists to work within a new summer public art program for children that we will be piloting this summer. The new pilot program, American Scene, is designed to introduce youth from underserved areas of Indianapolis between the ages of 8-12 to public works of art created under the 1930’s WPA- Works Progress Administration and Public Works of Art Project.

Specifically, students will learn about both Indianapolis based and national American Scene artists whose works of art reflected the hardships faced by people across the country as a result of the Great Depression. The artwork that is created during this project will mirror one part of the American Scene movement, we will ask youth to reflect upon their community and surroundings. A maximum of 25 students will work with each artist at a community partner location to create a small to mid-size piece of public art that incorporates the students’ view of their community and then later be installed at the community partner location.

We are looking for artists with a background in creating murals or sculptural pieces and who have had some kind of experience working with children. Those with this experience are encouraged to submit the following by March 20, 2009:

• Resume and 3 professional references

• One written concept proposal (no longer than one page) that expresses an overall image or concept the students will work within and indicates how the students message and artwork will be implemented using a particular media. If providing a 2-d concept please note that most sites will only be able to accommodate a 10’ tall x 20’ length or smaller space.

• A CD with 5 images of your artwork
  

Mail to:

Laura Alvarado
Director of Outreach
820 E. 67^th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

For additional information please email lalvarado@indplsartcenter.org

Once chosen, each artist will be expected to teach students about artwork produced under the WPA and American Scene movement with the assistance of outreach staff, lead youth through the process of creating a small to mid-size piece of artwork and assist with the installation or logistics concerning installing the artwork at the community partner site.

• Total direct contact/working hours with children in the summer = 20 hours

• Total preparation and installation hours = 20 hours

Total paid for the 40 hours of work= $1000.00
Please note that the material expense will be covered by the Indianapolis Art Center's Outreach Detpartment

Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association

Here is a link to the blog Urbanophile that nicely discusses the branding campaign going on within the Indianapolis Convention and Vistors Association (ICVA). The arts are included in the discussion.

From the Urbanophile:
Indy: ICVA Hits Home Run with New Brand Concept

Don Welsh, new president of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association, is a man brimming with energy and confidence. The ICVA held its annual meeting last week where it unveiled its new brand concept. I've written a lot about civic branding and positioning in this blog (see "Our Product is Better Than Our Brand", "The Brand Promise of Indianapolis", and "Urban Aphorisms"). Knowing of my interest in the area, the ICVA kindly extended me an invitation to attend, which I was grateful to receive...

To read the the rest of the article click [here].

Thanks to Dan Cooper for the heads up.

For more information on the ICVA click [here].

Art Opening: StutzArtSpace has HEART

Opening Reception: Friday, Febrary 6, 2009
Where: STUTZARTSPACE
Located in the alley between Capitol and Senate at 212 West 10th St.
(Enter from 10th St. via Bearcat Alley)
Indianapolis, IN 46202
When: 5 - 9:00 pm

The Stutz Artist Association is teaming up with the American Heart Association to present "Heart," an exhibition featuring work that explores the human heart, during Women's Heart Health Month.

Artwork in the group show (including work by artist member Ginny Taylor-Rosner) will include pieces that explore the medical heart, metaphors for love, the visual heart, the idea of brokenness, and the richness of the color red. Participating artists will donate 20 percent of their sales to the American Heart Association.

For more information on the Stutz Artist Association click [here].

Artist Member Update

Yuri Okamoto and Lisa Pelo-McNiece have been invited to the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette's Art for a New Century: Works Desired for the Permanent Collection exhibition. For this exhibit, regional artists were identified by the Director, the Curator, and the Collection Committee to submit artwork by invitation only. The goal for Art for a New Century is to identify living regional artists whose work is expected to become more important through the coming years.

For more information on the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and the exhibit click [here].

To visit Yuri's website click [here].

Act Now! Tell your senators to vote NO on the Coburn Amendment

Read below and get involved. It only takes a moment using the link below to contact your legislators.






From the American Association of Museums:
Senate Amendment to Bar Museums From Any Economic Recovery Funds

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has introduced an amendment to prohibit any funds in the economic stimulus bill from going to museums. The language of the amendment, (Amendment No. 175, as filed) is, "None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, arts center (emphasis added), or highway beautification project, including renovation, remodeling, construction, salaries, furniture, zero-gravity chairs, big screen televisions, beautification, rotating pastel lights, and dry heat saunas.

This amendment may be offered as early as Wednesday, February 4. Call your Senators TODAY and urge them to vote NO on the Coburn "Limitation of Funds Amendment No. 175."

Click [HERE] to identify your legislators by zip code and call or email them your concerns.

Good news for Artists and Crafters making childrens products

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products.

Art Fair artists and Small work from home crafters that make children's clothing, toys, jewelry, etc. and Libraries that have books for kids will be relieved to read the following news. This one year stay will be used to address how to make things safer for children WITHOUT putting you all out of business and making the libraries throw away all their children's books.

From the CPSC:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans... complete story [CPSC]

For information on the issue visit the Handmade Toy Alliance.

Re-Use / Re Order and Kate Shoup

The Indianapolis Art Center's current exhibition, Re-Use / Re-Order got a little write up on Indiana Living Green's website. Also mentioned in the article is artist member Kate Shoup - who offered a workshop based on recycled materials.
To read this article click [Indiana Living Green]

Re-Use / Re-Order is on display until April 19, 2009. To sign up for workshops and classes at the Indianapolis Art Center click [Sign Up]






















Pip Brant, Environmental Liberation Front, found cloth, embroidery, dyes, discharge
This work is on display in the Re-Use / Re-Order Exhibiton.

Call to Women Artists: 2009 Celebration of Hoosier Women Artists

Deadline: February 13, 2009
Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana is calling for entries for its 2009 Celebration of Hoosier Women Artists.

To celebrate Women's History Month, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman wishes to acknowledge the contribution Hoosier women artists have made to our state. Women artists from Indiana are invited to submit their original artwork for consideration. In March, winning artists will be invited to hang their work in the Lt. Governor's office, where it will be on display for a period of up to one year.

To read the complete details and an application click [Lt. Gov application]

Call to Artists: Act Quickly!

Deadline: Friday, February 6
Murphy Building
1043 Virginia Ave
Indianapolis, IN

The Central Indiana Artists and Piercers Exhibition needs tattoo and body modification / piercing artworks. All art will be considered. This work is needed ASAP. Art work must be wired and ready to hang.

The exhibit will open at the Murphy this Friday, February 6th as part of the First Friday Gallery Tour. For more information contact Bill Levin at (317) 251-3333.

For more information on the Murphy Art Center visit www.MurphyArtCenter.com.

Call to Ceramic Artists: Book Publication Project

Deadline: February 28, 2009
Indianapolis, IN

The Indiana Partnership for Young Writers (IPYW) is seeking central Indiana ceramic artists to create original works of art in response to the poems, memoirs, personal narratives, and other writings of children in grades K-8. This is part of the IPYW's fourth Book Publication Project. An image of the artist’s work will be printed in full color in a softbound book and the original art will be displayed in an exhibit at the Marsh Gallery, Herron School of Art and Design.

To be considered for this project, provide a brief letter of interest and 4-5 images from your portfolio by February 28, 2009. Mail these materials to: The Indiana Partnership for Young Writers, 615 W. 64^th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or email them to sadamson@orchard.org.

Each participating artist will receive 3-4 writing samples by June 1, 2009 and have until July 31, 2009 to submit one piece of art in response. IPYW will need an electronic image of the artwork for publication in the book, and can offer a commission of at least $500.00 to participating artists.

The IPYW was established in 1999 to cultivate the skills and identities of students as writers. This highly innovative public-private partnership provides central Indiana teachers with specialized training to support the development of Writing Workshops in their classrooms. IPYW provides student writers in these workshop classrooms a range of opportunities for publishing and celebrating their considerable accomplishments. Among these is a 250-page biennial anthology and collaborative literary/visual art exhibits in high traffic public galleries.

For more information about the Book Publication Project or the Indiana Partnership for Young Writers, please contact IPYW directly by calling 317.713.5713 or refer to their website by clicking [IPYW]