Call for Artists – Nature/Landscape Installations
Project: Over/Growth
Deadline: April 8th, 2021
For the last year, we’ve all endured the shackled enclosure of a pandemic. As artists and as individuals, it’s nearing time to shrug off that shackle. We are stepping outside, taking a deep breath, and witnessing how the natural world has not ceased its charge during our strange sabbatical. It has, in fact, flourished in our absence.
Over/Growth is a re-engagement with the outside, with the natural world, and an acknowledgement of our place in and our effects on it. We are seeking to activate the Heron Meadow with art installations that creatively use natural materials for a statement on this theme, as part of VCA’s Summer ArtsFest during the month of August. Heron Meadow, a 2-acre wetland area adjacent to Vashon Center for the Arts, is a collaboration between VCA and the Vashon Nature Center; their joint mission is to restore the wetland to a thriving habitat for wildlife, to serve as a demonstration site for bio-restoration work and to create a space of confluence between art and nature.
We are seeking to curate a selection of medium to large-scale outdoor installations inspired by the environment from Vashon artists. Specific installation experience isn’t necessary. The first step to apply is to send a statement of interest, proposal (if you have one), and ten images of your work. We will short list 8-10 artists who will then have three weeks to draft a site-specific proposal for their project, which could be a pre-existing installation that hasn’t been shown on the island before or something completely new. The meadow has a few key spots you may be inspired by and we’ve a stash of materials to share as well. The opportunity to create lasting landscape architecture for the Meadow is a potential as well, depending on the project. We are looking for skilled, competent artists who are inspired to and capable of bringing their big ideas to fruition who are motivated to join us in this inaugural event. At this time, and with our emphasis on readily available natural materials, we are not promising funding, though we are exploring multiple avenues for it.
OVER/Growth is an outdoor installation for VCA SummerArtsFest and will open on Aug. 6th, First Friday, and remain for a 4 week duration. Artists are responsible for set-up and tear down of their work. The installations can be for sale or exhibition only.
To apply, please send the following to Cyra Jane @ sirenicity@gmail.com or to Leslie Zenz @ leslie.k.zenz@gmail.com (or better yet, both!):
- ten (10) images of your work titled “Artist Name_Title of Work.jpg” that are no wider than 1500 pixels each
- A brief statement of interest
- A proposal (optional at this time)
Deadline for applications is April 8th. We will notify short-listed artists immediately and set up a meeting that week to walk the Meadow and brainstorm.
