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/