As artists, we walk often walk the line between creating a commercial niche for ourselves (so that we can eat) and doing the work the work we love (so we can sleep).

Portraiture is often a tough sit-down menu to sell to the average fast food consumer, but there are artists that do it so well…even the pickiest amongst us can’t resist.  Here is an opportunity for the artist that just can’t resist a beautifully rendered portrait.

Still Point Art Gallery invites submissions for its upcoming online exhibition: American Portraits: Diversity in Our Land.

Great achievements are not born from a single vision but from the combination of many distinctive viewpoints. Diversity challenges assumptions, opens minds, and unlocks our potential to solve any problems we may face.  –Unknown

This exhibition will celebrate diversity in America through the genre of portraiture. Artists are encouraged to think about diversity in America in its broadest sense – ethnicity, race, age, class, religion, and gender…also occupation, national or regional origin, hobbies and interests, regional customs and lifestyles, and more…much more.

To add to the celebratory nature of this exhibition, the Gallery is looking into a variety of opportunities that will put this show before the public. In other words, the Gallery is looking into ways to turn this show into public art. To begin with, the Gallery will assist artists whose work is accepted for the exhibition in getting their work displayed in their local libraries, city or town office buildings, or community centers as part of what could be a national public art exhibition. Other opportunities will be posted as they become finalized. We welcome ideas for making this exhibition a public art exhibition.
 

Dates and Deadlines

February 21, 2010 – Submissions Open

April 19, 2010 – Submissions Close (Deadline)

May 3, 2010 – Notification of Selection

May 5 through August 10, 2010 – Exhibition (Online)

After closing as a featured exhibition on August 10, 2010, American Portraits will remain online through August 10, 2011.

Eligibility

Open to artists 18 years of age or older from around the world who submit portraiture in any medium except video and wearable art. Submissions must be the creation of the artist. Reproductions of original artwork are not accepted.

Images

Artists may choose one of three ways to submit images: (1) artists may upload images using their online form; (2) artists may send images by email [very quick and easy and you can still pay online]; or (3) artists may send images on a CD. Slides and prints will not be accepted.

Whatever way you choose, images should be saved in jpg format and resized to 72 dpi, less than 1.5 MB, with the maximum dimension of the image being no more (and not much less) than 1000 pixels. Failing to resize your image will result in problems with uploading. The file name of your image should follow this convention – last name, title of work (perhaps abbreviated), and number (matching entry form number) [for example, SMITH_SUNNYDAY_3.jpg].

Do not include stray characters such as # or * in your file name. Doing so will prevent your file from uploading properly. If you choose to email images, please send them to director@stillpointartgallery.com.

If you choose to send your images on a CD, please mail to Still Point Art Gallery, 193 Hillside Road, Brunswick, Maine 04011. CDs will not be returned. Once the submission deadline has passed, no image substitutions may be made.

Please Note: If you use Safari on a Mac platform, their online form will NOT work to upload your images. If you use a Mac,  please use Firefox to upload your images.

Entry Application and Fee

Artists are asked to complete an entry form and submit a non-refundable fee of $25 for up to 3 images. Additional images may be submitted for a fee of $5 each, up to a maximum of 8 images at $50. ($25 for 3 images plus $25 for an additional 5 images to reach the maximum of 8 images at $50) If you complete the entry form and submit your images online, payment may be made online by PayPal immediately following submission of images. If you submit images by email, you should include the following information about each image in the message: title, medium, dimensions, framed/unframed, and price. Please also include your name, address, and home or cell number.

Payment may be made by requesting a PayPal invoice or by check or money order. If you submit images on CD, please include the entry form. Again, payment may be made by requesting a PayPal invoice or by check or money order. Write checks payable to Still Point Art Gallery and mail to 193 Hillside Road, Brunswick ME 04011. Once the submission deadline has passed, no changes in prices as stated on the entry form will be made.