CALL FOR ART

Drinking Gourd Gallery presents exciting exhibitions of works by professional and self-taught artists. Here you can find listings of open artist opportunities for the current calendar year. The Call for Art details are listed below. If you would like a PDF copy of the details, just click where indicated below or scan the QR code. Should you have any questions, please reach out to us via e-mail at dggartinfo@gmail.com for assistance. Thank you for your interest! 

Artist calls and other opportunities are posted as they become available. Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date about upcoming calls and events. 

CURRENT ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES:

Drinking Gourd Gallery: THE WEIGHT ON MY SHOULDERS — A Non-Juried Exhibition

Drinking Gourd Gallery invites submissions for The Weight on My Shoulders, a group exhibition to be presented in June 2024 in recognition of Men’s Mental Health Awareness month. Through a series of artwork, photography, and video, the exhibition will focus on the importance of men's mental health in both the civilian and veteran communities. This artistic showcase will offer a nuanced exploration of the shared struggles, unique challenges, and resilience found within these diverse populations. From societal expectations and cultural stigmas to personal experiences and coping mechanisms, the exhibition aims to foster understanding, empathy, and dialogue surrounding the complexities of men's mental health. Join us in breaking down barriers, challenging preconceptions, and promoting pathways to accessible care and support. Together, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society where every individual's mental health is valued.

Please read the submission guidelines before applying. If you would like a PDF copy of the submission guidelines, please click here or tap the Call for Art image. 

We thank you for your interest and look forward to seeing your work! 

Submission Deadline: Saturday, May 4, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. EST

Exhibition Dates: June 1 – June 30, 2024

Mediums: painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, digital, collage, assemblage, and photography. Accepting both two and three-dimensional pieces.

Carol Torian, founder of Drinking Gourd Gallery, is curating this exhibition.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are to be submitted via e-mail to dggartinfo@gmail.com on or before the deadline. Up to (two) 2 works, represented as JPEG files may be included for consideration. Label each JPEG file with the artwork title and your first and last name. Please read the full information below prior to applying. We invite you to give your interpretation of the exhibition theme through your work.

Size Restrictions

2D works may be no larger than 48 inches high, 48 inches wide, and 4 inches in depth and not weigh more than 20 pounds (even when framed). All 2D artwork must be suitably framed unless a wrapped canvas is used. Work received without attached hanging hardware will not be included in the show. Works will be on display indoors. Must be original work. 

 

3D works must be free standing, self-supportive or wall mountable, or pedestal ready. Assemblage work does not require a frame. Work may be no longer than 60 inches in its longest dimension and weigh no more than 25 pounds. Pedestal will be provided, if required. Works will be on display indoors. Must be original work.   

 

Shipping & Delivery for Accepted Work

Please do not ship or hand deliver any work until you are notified regarding drop-off and shipping instructions. Applicants are responsible to pay for the delivery and return shipping of their work. Applicants are responsible for any travel expense associated with the shipping and delivery of their artwork. Applicants are also responsible for any travel expense associated with attending the exhibition’s opening reception.

 

Eligibility

Open to North Carolina residents ONLY. 

Applicants may submit two original works.

All works must be the sole work and exclusive property of the submitting artist or photographer.

Works must have been created within the last four years.

 Sales and Commission

All submitted work must be for sale. Applicants set the sales price. Sales prices are firm. The participant will receive 60% of the sale price and Drinking Gourd Gallery will retain 40%. North Carolina sales tax will be added to the sales price. All sales will be handled by Drinking Gourd Gallery. Work sold during the exhibition will remain on display until the end of the show.

 Submission Requirements

Online submissions only. No entry fee. Applicants may submit up to two (2) works, represented as JPEG files, not to exceed 4MB per image.  

 

  1. Submissions should be sent to dggartinfo@gmail.com and received by the deadline in order to be considered for the upcoming exhibition. Deadline is Saturday, May 4, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. EST.

 

  1. In the subject line of your e-mail, please write – THE WEIGHT ON MY SHOULDERS with your first and last name.

 

  1. For artwork and photography, label each JPEG image file with your first and last name and the artwork title and include the file(s) in your e-mail as attachments.

 

  1. In the body of the e-mail list the available work, and include your name, the work title, media, size, and sales price. If you are submitting mixed-media work, you must include the names of all media used in the creation of the artwork. Please also include a short bio and a telephone number where you can be reached.

Receipt of your submission will be confirmed by e-mail.

Exhibition Partners

Drinking Gourd Gallery is proud to be presenting The Weight on My Shoulders art exhibition in partnership with Camilla Y. Black, M.Ed., LCMHC, artist Maria Tavarez of Moonchild LLC, artist Barbara A. Outterson, Southeast Regional Library and the Wake County Public Libraries system. 

About Drinking Gourd Gallery

Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Drinking Gourd Gallery is a woman-led contemporary art gallery focused on developing and supporting early to mid-career artists. Looking back and ahead, the gallery is dedicated to artistic freedom and committed to showcasing diverse voices and perspectives. Known for its eclectic, ever-changing collection, Drinking Gourd Gallery offers a relaxed virtual space for visitors to discover and shop for unique artwork and gift items. The gallery is also proud to present exhibitions, book and film discussions, artist talks, lectures, classes, and performances to inspire and engage.

About Southeast Regional Library

In 1928, the Garner Woman’s Club oversaw the formation of a public library in Garner, operating and staffing it with community volunteers. Today, Garner's public library is the Southeast Regional Library, which is a regional facility operated by the Wake County Public Libraries system. The Southeast Regional Library is located at 908 7th Avenue, and it is just minutes from historic downtown Garner and downtown Raleigh. Southeast Regional Library offers innovative programming, relevant collections, and technology resources that foster literacy, education, and lifelong learning within the community.

About Moonchild LLC

Moonchild LLC, founded and created by Maria Tavarez, is a holistic company bringing a spiritual approach to mental health awareness using art to help individuals find healing, self-discovery and promote acceptance within themselves.

About Barbara A. Outterson

Barbara A. Outterson is an artist and educator based in Raleigh. She is originally from Rochester, New York, and has spent her life involved in fine arts, in love with opera and painting since the age of five. As a visual artist, Barbara primarily works with acrylic paint, occasionally adding a bit of fabric to her work. She creates beautiful paintings that are rich in color, moods, and textures, and viewers can stare at the compositions for hours and still discover something new. Barbara holds degrees in Opera Performance, Vocal Pedagogy, and Psychology which has allowed her to enjoy a long career in performance and education. 

About Camilla Y. Black, M.Ed., LCMHC

Camilla Y. Black, M.Ed., LCMHC has over 20 years of experience in counseling, education, and social services. She has worked with individuals and couples from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures. Camilla has a wide range of experience with infants through geriatrics, college students/student-athletes, veterans, active-duty military service members, military spouses, and their dependents. As a licensed mental health practitioner, Camilla works collaboratively with her clients supporting them in reaching their goals through evidence-based practices and therapies. She is passionate and committed to providing a caring, safe, and nonjudgemental space for helping individuals to become their best selves.

About Venue

The Weight on My Shoulders art exhibition will be presented at the Southeast Regional Library, located at 908 7th Avenue in Garner, North Carolina. 

Curators

Carol Torian is a writer, gallerist, and contemporary artist, known for her drawings and abstract paintings. She is a self-taught artist whose work is inspired by nature, urban settings, women's issues, and social justice issues. Carol is a graduate of Meredith College, and the founder and owner of Drinking Gourd Gallery.

Legal Agreement

Entry in the Exhibition constitutes agreement to the conditions set forth in this call for art. The applicant grants Drinking Gourd Gallery permission to photograph any work accepted for the Exhibition for archival or educational purposes or publicity. For the in-person component of the exhibition, works will be displayed indoors. The applicant also grants Drinking Gourd Gallery permission to send emails specific to The Weight on My Shoulders Exhibition.

 Questions

If you have questions or need additional information or accommodations in order to submit work for consideration for this exhibition, please email Carol Torian at dggartinfo@gmail.com or call 919.627-4994 for assistance.

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PAST ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES:

Drinking Gourd Gallery is seeking submissions for M is for Menopause, Baby!, a group exhibition that aims to raise awareness and challenge the stigma, stereotypes, and myths that surround the menopausal journey. Menopause is divided into three basic stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Your work can represent any of these stages or all of them, if you wish. Art submissions can be 2D or 3D, which can include paintings, drawings, mixed media, collages, assemblages, and sculptures. Your representation could be a person or persons, a place, a thing, or something abstract—really, whatever comes to mind for you when you think about perimenopause or menopause or postmenopause. Just let your creativity and imagination guide you. We look forward to seeing your work!

Applicants must be residents of North Carolina. No Entry Fee. This is a Non-Juried Exhibition. 

Submission Deadline: Saturday, September 30, 2023, by 11:59 p.m. EST

Exhibition Dates: October 18 – November 15, 2023

Curating this exhibition are Carol Torian, founder of Drinking Gourd Gallery and Kirsten Moore, founder of Kiki Piper.

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This is a running list of questions that we have received about the exhibition or Call for Art submission process.