Shoal Arts

Shoal Arts, a new and obscure organisation you’ve never heard of, is pleased to announce we’re now accepting submissions for the first annual Plymouth ‘Other’ Open, a new, lo-fi, contrary spectacle of ‘state-of-the-art’ art.

 

What is it?

It’s an alternative, irreverent take on the open exhibition.

 

When is it?

The exhibition runs from 9-20 August

 

Where is it?

DevonportLive Arts Venue, 56-58 George Street

Devonport Plymouth PL1 4HR

 

Who’s eligible?

Any artist working in the South West.

 

What’s the theme?

The theme of the 2015 Plymouth ‘Other’ Open is, “What’s Wrong With This Picture?”

 

What does that mean?

You’re an artist, you interpret it.

 

How do I submit work?

            Email your submission to us:

shoalarts@yahoo.co.uk

            Post your submission to us:

Plymouth Other Open, Devonport Live, 56 George Street Plymouth, Devon, PL1 4HR

 

When’s the deadline for submissions?

            Midnight, Wednesday 8 July 2015.

 

Who’s on the selection panel?

There’re two of us. We’re not famous, important or influential. We’re artists and curators. We might include friends and colleagues to help us select which work should be in the exhibition.

 

Why are you doing this?

            Because the contemporary art world is too serious. Also because we want to create a platform for communication and exchange among artists in the South West (and elsewhere). And because we’re artists; we believe in art, we’re enthusiastic about art and we want to share that enthusiasm with other artists, and everybody else.

 

Oh great, more ‘networking’.

            Yeah, probably, but who knows… it might be fun.

 

What’s in it for me?

            If we select your work, it’ll be in the exhibition. If we don’t select your work, we’ll publish it on the Plymouth ‘Other’ Open website in an online gallery.

All submissions will be published in the online gallery.

 

Also, we have some prizes:

 

-The Plymouth ‘Other’ Open Prize

                        A real trophy with your name on it

 

-Prize Number 2

For the work that’s almost as good as the one that gets the Plymouth ‘Other’ Open Prize. The actual prize will be almost as good as the trophy.

 

-Most Compelling Use of the Colour Red Prize

Kinda self-explanatory. The prize is a bag of red art materials.

 

-The Best Artist Statement Ever Prize

Recipient will receive a book filled with words and a sharpened pencil.

 

Well, sounds a bit stupid, but I might submit something. What’s the fee?

            There’s no submission fee.

 

Hmm, ok. How about some details?

            Here are the submission criteria:

 

-Submit up to two works (drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, artist books, video/film, sound, photography, text, textiles), (sorry, no installation or performance, unless it’s being presented in documentary format as a film or photographic work),

-Size requirements:

-2D: maximum size 750mm x 1000mm (incl. frame)

-3D: maximum size 300mm d x 500mm w x 1000mm h

-film,video,sound: maximum 15 minutes.

-Images (for email images should be jpeg, 300dpi, max file size of 3mb. For sound and video, send us a link to where we can see/hear the work. For post, you can send work on CD, or prints. Don’t send original work).

-Titles of the work. Titles should be included in the filename, or written on the photo, bottom right (also, it’d be good to send a list as well, just to help us not be confused.)

-Your name, address, email address, web address if you have one, phone number (let us know which of these details you’d be willing to include in the online gallery).

 

What about a statement?

            Artist statements are boring. They’re boring to write, they’re boring to read. Having said that, we’re not straying so far from convention as to ditch them outright. So, send a statement with your submission, but entertain us, enlighten us, make us laugh, or cry, or both. Don’t go on forever, but if there’s something you’re desperate to say using written language that you feel will enhance the experience of looking at your work, by all means, go for it. If we get a selection of really interesting statements, we might publish them. If we do decide to publish them, if we want to include yours we’ll get your permission, and we’ll give you a copy of the book when it comes out.

 

Where do I send all this stuff?

            Email: shoalarts@yahoo.co.uk

            Post: Devonport Live, 56 George Street, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 4HR

 

To recap:

 

Deadline for submissions is midnight Wednesday 8 July 2015. We’ll notify everyone, successful or not, starting Monday 13, July. Once notifications have gone out, we’ll start organising details.

 

The show opens 9th August, runs until 20th August.

 

You’ll be responsible for getting the work to us, and for collecting it after the show.

 

(If you want to sell your work, include the selling price. The commission is %15.)

 

Click here for a PDF of these Guidelines or get in touch at shoalarts@yahoo.co.uk

 

 

Shoal Arts:

When everyone is trying to be something, be nothing.