Friday, November 30, 2012

A CALL TO ARTISTS!

A CALL TO ARTISTS AND VOLUNTEERS

Deadline to submit: Monday April 6th, 2013, 7pm
Opening Reception: Friday May 3rd, 2013, 6-11 pm,
On View: May 3 – May 25th
Venue: PÄS & Hibbleton Galleries at the Magoski Artists Colony
Address: 223 W. Santa Fe, Fullerton, CA 92832
Media Contact: Stephan Baxter, stephanbaxter@me.com, 714/342-3052
Website: ArtWithAnAgenda.org


Motivation for Exhibit

In 2008, Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the State of California, passed with a little more than 52% of the vote. Fullerton, combined with our neighbors in the northern most parts of Orange County, however, passed Prop 8 by 63% (see source below). It is important that those who aim to monopolize love and marriage understand to whom they are denying a fundamental social institution. In a small way this exhibit hopes to further acceptance and understanding through art which is inspired by the belief that all non-exploitative love is beautiful and valid.

Artists Requirements and the Agenda

The attached promotional Call to Artists card depicts a beautiful and soft portrait of two men kissing. This work by Valerie Lewis perfectly sets the tone for our 2nd Art With An Agenda exhibit, which will take place in May 2013, entitled LOVE. SEX. UNITY. RESPECT. With the announcement of this exhibit we hope to attract artists who are appalled by the current state of legal and sanctioned homophobia which today denies one segment of the population equal access to marriage. It is our hope that when given the opportunity to submit art for this project, these artists will be inspired to create a work of art which furthers our common goal softening hearts and ending discrimination.


It is our belief that continued discrimination against individuals because of their sexual orientation is the civil rights issue of our generation. Whether we ourselves are straight or gay, we must work together to correct this wrong and to promote acceptance and understanding of all members of our community. Homophobia exists only in an environment in which ignorance and fear are allowed thrive. It is this condition that is our enemy, not any one individual who may suffer from it. Unlike the previous Art With An Agenda exhibit, The Life & Murder of Kelly Thomas, which attracted over 1,000 guests on opening night, despite the difficult subject matter, and which was in part conceived to hold those involved in the murder of a local homeless man accountable for his death, with this exhibit, we do not feel compelled to demonstrate the abuses, legal or otherwise, to which the LGBT community is too often subjected.  In light of this, artists who are considering participating in this exhibit are encouraged to create art in any medium they choose, and to have the subject of the work be the LGBT community, rather than those who discriminate against them. We aim to focus on the beautiful and ordinary private lives of our subjects, not to punish or to embarrass those who today are on the wrong side of history.


 “LOVE. SEX. UNITY. RESPECT.” hopes to accomplish the following:

  • Soften the hearts of those who today may not relate to what they believe is a lifestyle choice.
  • Unite like-minded residents in the common goal of legalizing same-sex marriage in California.
  • Raise significant funds by donating 50% of proceeds from the sale of art to OC AIDS WALK, which is taking place the weekend of the exhibit’s opening, and to raise further funds by establishing an Art With An Agenda AIDS Walk team (*) for sponsorship.  The remaining 50% of proceeds from the sale of any work will be returned to the artist whose piece sold.
  • Continue to bring attention to the Fullerton Art Walk, participating artists, galleries, and the power of art.


To be considered for the exhibit, please submit high resolution JPEGs of your work, or recent work, and a description of what you plan to create specifically for the show. Also include a brief bio and link to your website. This exhibit is open to all established and emerging artists working in all media. Artwork will be selected for display based on its quality, support of the show theme, as well as venue and show design limitations. For shipped artwork, the artist must make their own arrangements for return shipping and insurance. Artists will be notified no later than April 12th if submitted artwork will be included.

We appreciate your interest and support. 

  
Stephan Baxter                                                  
Exhibit Organizer/Co-Curator                                       
stephanbaxter@me.com                  

And

Valerie Lewis
Magoski Arts Colony Artist
Exhibit Co-Curator
vlewisart@gmail.com


 

*Note: We are looking for positive work that celebrates the LGBT community. Although money is being donated to OC AIDS Walk, the work in the exhibit is not about AIDS or about Homophobia. These issues will are addressed by our donations and our advocacy.

**Prop 8 Results for Fullerton and it’s closets neighbors  based LA Times Election results for Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, LaHabra, LaPalma, Placentia, Stanton & Yorba Linda taken from the following LA Times http://projects.latimes.com/elections/orange-county-prop-8-results-by-city/