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About The Exhibit
Join us in celebration of our very first juried exhibition. Iconic Art is an opportunity for talented artists in Hampton Roads and beyond to win cash prizes and incredible display opportunities. The winners will be announced at this reception.
Priority RSVP will go to the juried artists. These artists will be permitted to RSVP for themselves and a guest. Priority RSVP closes on July 17th. From that point on, general RSVP will be open. For questions, please contact us via email at downing-gross@nnva.gov or give us a call at 757-247-8950.
For updates regarding business practices after COVID-19, please click here.
Meet The Juror
Dr. Kimberli Gant
Kimberli Gant, PhD is the McKinnon Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, VA. She was previously the Mellon Doctoral Fellow in the Arts of Global Africa Department at the Newark Museum, in Newark, NJ, and worked as the Director of Exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Arts (MoCADA). She has also guested curated for Deutsch Bank NY and Dept of African American/African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas Austin. Her exhibition experience includes Multiple Modernisms, Wondrous Worlds: Art & Islam Through Time & Place (2016), De-Luxe (2012), and There is No Looking Glass Here: Wide Sargasso Sea Re-Imagined (2010).
Kimberli received her PhD in Art History from the University of Texas Austin (2017), as well as holds both a MA and BA in Art History from Columbia University (2009) and Pitzer College (2002).
Featured on Wavy TV 10
Symone Davis, the Living Local correspondent for Wavy TV 10, interviewed Dr. Kimberli Gant about her role as the juror in this exhibit. View the video and read the article at the link below!
Selected Works
Click and hover over the images to reveal information about the artists and the piece.
The Winning Pieces:
First place - “Spirit Sees Through Me” by Sharon Grotevant
Second place - “The Eternal Voice” by Michelle Richardson
Third place - “Look At Us. Can You Hear Us?” by Patrick Mills
Works on Display
Reception Video
During the reception, James Cooper was able to speak with a few of the artists present about their work. Featured in this video: Olivia Cooper, Andre Jones, Kwamina Wilson, Nfon Asuqua, and Marjorie Guisao-Wallace.
Reception Photos
Calendar
Last Date for Online Submissions: June 16, 2020 at 11:59 pm
Notification to Artists of Acceptance: June 19, 2020
Priority RSVP Opens: July 7, 2020 at 12:00 pm
General RSVP Opens: July 18, 2020 at 12:00 am
Delivery Deadline for Accepted Works: July 27, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Exhibit Duration: August 8-31, 2020
Exhibit Reception: August 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Overview
We’re hosting a juried exhibit for artists of all ages with cash prizes and incredible display opportunities for first, second, and third place winners. In order to enter, artists must submit hi-definition photos of up to two (2) pieces along with details about themselves and the pieces via email and must pay the $20 entry fee through Eventbrite. Only one piece will be accepted.
Quick Links
World Arts Celebration 2020 Details
Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival Details
Vendor Registration Link For First and Second Place Prize Winners
Loan Form
Entry Information
Theme: Iconic Art
During our eleventh year of building community through the arts, we are celebrating all things iconic. Submissions should interpret the artist’s understanding of the phrase “Iconic Art” whether they are honoring an iconic figure in the arts or an iconic art style.
Awards and Benefits
First Place receives $500 and the opportunity to display free of charge at the World Arts Celebration on August 22, 2020 and the Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival on October 10-11, 2020. (The total cash value of these prizes is $950)
Second Place receives $250 and the opportunity to display free of charge at World Arts Celebration on August 22, 2020 and the Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival on October 10-11, 2020. (The total cash value of these prizes is $650)
Third Place receives a six month solo display at our new offsite gallery at the Denbigh Community Center and the choice of displaying at one of the following events: The World Arts Celebration on August 22, 2020 or the Port Warwick Arts and Sculpture Festival on October 10-11, 2020. (The total cash value of these prizes is $400)
All accepted artists receive the following benefits: professional exhibition space and display of artwork in our Newport News Community Gallery, a listing on the DGCAC website with the artists’ contact information.
Once the first and second place award recipients are chosen and notified at the reception, they must register as a vendor with the City of Newport News (requires updated W9 form) and will be paid via check. Please allow up to two (2) weeks for receipt of check.
Please Note: World Arts Celebration 2020 and the Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival 2020 may be rescheduled in light of COVID-19. Updates regarding this information will be discussed between the winning artists and the Galleries Curator. If the winning artists are not available to display on the dates of exhibition for the World Arts Celebration or the Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival, then they forfeit that portion of the prize.
How to Enter
Entries are no longer being accepted.
Eligibility
All Virginia artists are eligible to submit up to two (2) artworks for consideration. All ages are invited to submit. Please note: There will be no children’s categories. All work will be evaluated equally regardless of age. All media is allowed. Original artwork only; no prints or reproductions of paintings will be considered. Artwork previously displayed at the center will not be considered. Two-dimensional works must not exceed 48" in size on all sides. Three-dimensional works must be free-standing or able to fit on a 1 ft x 1 ft square pedestal. Works must not exceed 60 lbs.
Submission Process
Click here to email your submission. Please submit hi-resolution photographs of your work that you want to be considered for the show. Do not drop-off any original artworks to the center before you have been notified of acceptance into the show. Each artist is allowed to submit photos of up to two (2) pieces. Please name your attachments with the exact title of the piece. The subject line of your email should read “Iconic Art Juried Exhibition Submission”. In the message area, please include your first and last name, artist name (if applicable), address, contact phone number, titles of your work, and a short explanation (no more than 75 words) of how the work fits the theme.
In addition, the entry fee of $20 for up to two works (only one may be accepted into the show), and can be submitted here. Please be sure to use the same name for your email entry and the payment of your entry fee. The names must match to be considered.
Artists’ entry fee will only be refunded if Virginia’s stay-at-home order issued due to the COVID-19 crisis is extended beyond the June 10, 2020 date and we must cancel the exhibition. Otherwise, entries are non-refundable.
Delivery, Pick-up, and Shipping:
Delivery: After notification of acceptance, all accepted artwork must be delivered to Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center ready to be installed. For example, two-dimensional artwork such as paintings and photographs must be delivered ready for hanging on wire. Works should be labeled and identified by name on the back or base. During the period of exhibition, the works may not be removed. Deadline for delivery: July 27, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
Pease note: DGCAC reserves the right to refuse artworks that do not meet installation requirements or are otherwise judged unsuitable, even after the delivery of works. For questions about hanging requirements, please call 757-247-8950 or email downing-gross@nnva.gov.
Shipping: Shipped artwork must be in reusable packaging and must include prepaid return shipping labels.
Returns: All artwork must be picked up or sent back to the lender within 30 days after the exhibition period.