Call for Artists: eMERGE Print Exchange and Exhibition
MERGE verb
to blend gradually into something else so as to become indistinguishable from it
to combine or cause to combine to form a single entity
from Latin mergere ‘to dip, plunge’
EMERGE verb
to move out of or away from something and come into view
to become manifest: become known
to rise from an obscure or inferior position or condition
to come into being through evolution
to recover from or survive a difficult or demanding situation
This print exchange seeks to draw out imagery from artists whose work is not seen as frequently due to hegemonic forces within the art world. The eMERGE Print Exchange encourages individual artists’ interpretation in order to embrace a wide spectrum of perspectives and techniques. The project is partially funded by a California Society of Printmakers Membership Engagement Grant.
Original Work
All work submitted must be created specifically for the eMERGE Print Exchange and Exhibition and participating artists must own the intellectual property rights for all images submitted.
Paper Size: 8 inches x 10 inches
Edition Size
15-25 dependent on the number of participants. Two complete portfolios will be kept for the California Society of Printmakers: one for the CSP archive in the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley; one as a CSP exhibition copy. Two additional portfolios will be kept for donation to other significant print collections (TBD). The fifth portfolio will be an eMERGE exhibition copy, which will be available for sale during the exhibition in 2022. Each participant will receive a complete set of prints, housed in a custom portfolio. The edition size will be finalized on August 6, 2021.
Print Medium
All submissions must be created using traditional printmaking processes: e.g. serigraphy/screenprint, etching, lithography, mezzotint, dry point, linocut, woodcut, collagraphy, risograph, etc. Purely digital/photographic prints will not be accepted.
Selection process
Artists can apply to participate until August 2, 2021 using a brief form. Participating artists will be selected by project manager/curator Erica Barajas, based on images of artists’ previous work and a short description of their proposed print. Priority will be given to artists that self-identify as one or more of the following: people of color (BIPOC), emerging or early-career artists, and/or current members of the California Society of Printmakers (CSP). Due to the terms of the Membership Engagement Grant, at least 7 CSP members must participate. Applicants will be notified of their participation status on or before August 6, 2021. Once accepted as a participant, artists must submit completed prints that adhere to portfolio guidelines.
Application Deadline: Application form must be received by Monday, August 2, 2021
Notification of Acceptance
Applicants will be notified of their participation status on or before August 6, 2021. Once accepted, participants must pay participation fee by August 13, 2021 and submit finished prints by October 1, 2021.
Participation Fee
$10-$35 non-refundable participation fee (pay as you can), payable by Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, check or money order. Due by Friday, August 13, 2021.
Signing & Editioning: All prints must be signed and editioned along the bottom edge of the front or back of the print with the following details:
Left Hand Side - Edition Number (1/25, 2/25... 25/25) edition size subject to change
Center – Title of Print
Right Hand Side - Artist's Signature & Year (2021)
Print Presentation & Submission
Each print must be individually protected by glassine paper, cut the same size and placed between each print. A completed submission form must accompany each edition of prints. All prints must be completely dry before submitting.
Deadline for Completed Prints
Completed prints must arrive in Oakland, CA on or before Friday, October 1, 2021.
A limited number of scholarships are available to cover (domestic) shipping costs to deliver prints to Oakland. These scholarships and the return shipping costs of the portfolios will be covered by funding from the California Society of Printmakers.
Exhibition Details
If public health recommendations allow, a public exhibition of the portfolio will occur in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2022. A digital catalog will be created and shared, and opportunities for artists talks will be available. Exact location and dates TBD, or virtual depending on public health recommendations.
Awards
$150 curator's choice award and $100 people's choice award will be selected and awarded the night of exhibition opening.
Print Sales
Prints that are retained for sale through the exhibition are subject to gallery commissions which are not yet determined.
Timeline
Application due August 2, 2021
Notification of acceptance August 6, 2021
Participation fee due August 13, 2021
Completed prints due October 1, 2021
Portfolios shipped to participants November 2021
eMERGE Exhibition TBD 2022
Questions?
