Call for Submissions: Slow Craft 2012 Juried Exhibition

 

May 3

SLOW CRAFT is the theme of the MCC’s 2012 Juried Exhibition
SLOW CRAFT takes as its starting point the issues emerging from the broader Slow Movement that developed as a response to our increasingly fast-paced Western lifestyles and our unsustainable consumer culture.  Slowness is often associated with craft.  Craft skills take time to learn; craft processes cannot be rushed.  Many makers today are developing critical positions in response to our consumer behavior, questioning modes of production through new processes, looking at issues of stewardship and sustainability as well as collective making and the reworking of everyday objects. *
*Quote credits to artist, curator, and academic Helen Carnac, from her project description at http://www.craftspace.co.uk/page.asp?fn=2&id=57&stp=1&grp=3.

SLOW CRAFT will represent approximately 15 craft artists who reside in Manitoba and whose work pushes the boundaries of their media and reflects fresh approaches to diverse cultural and material traditions. Works will be chosen based upon artistic merit (technical skill, formal effect, and conceptual success), with a particular interest in pieces that connect to our exhibition’s SLOW CRAFT theme.  Original works (ie. not derived from a pattern or kit) rooted in traditional approaches to craft and those that encompass new technologies, are performative, reflect a d-i-y ethic or challenge preconceived notions of craft are equally welcome.

Exhibition dates and venues
June 2012, Gallery 1C03, University of Winnipeg
Rural venue TBA

Jurors
Dr. Sandra Alfoldy, curator and professor in Craft History at NSCAD University.  Alan Lacovestsky, ceramics artist and educator.  Jennifre Gibson, curator at Gallery 1C03, University of Winnipeg.

Eligible works
Works will be selected based on artistic merit, skill, design, innovation and relationship to the exhibition’s theme. Original work (functional, decorative, conceptual) in any craft-based media are welcome (e.g.ceramic, fibre, metal, paper, recycled material, stone, glass and wood). In addition, mixed media and interdisciplinary works that are primarily craft-based in material and/or technique are welcome.  Eligible works must have ben completed after July 2009 and may not have been exhibited in previous Manitoba Craft Council exhibitions.  Three entries per person, maximum.  Entrants must be current Manitoba Craft Council members.  See www.manitobacraft.ca/join/

Images
The jurors will select work based on digital images with the final selection subject to viewing actual work.  MCC urges applicants to consider using a professional photographer to document your work.  Please submit images by email or on one CD marked with your name.  Use jpeg files with a resolution of 300 dpi, with images’ size approximately 4 x 6″.   For each work, submit one image with a full view of the work and one or two detail views.  Please title each image file as follows:  artist’s last name_title_full/detail (eg. Poirier_Moonscape_detail2) The maximum number of images allowed is nine (9).  Discs will not be returned.

Application
Please include the following information along with your images:
- Your name, mailing address, phone number and email address
- Image list including the title, date, media, dimensions and price/value of each work submitted (3 works max.)
- Artist statement (100 words max.) Please include 2-3 sentences about how your work relates to the exhibition’s theme.
All applicants will be notified of initial results by May 15, 2012.  Final selection will be based on viewing the actual work.   Artist fees will be paid for works selected for the exhibition.
Applications will be accepted via email at mcc@mts.net.  Submission deadline of May 3.  Please put “SLOWCRAFT Application-Your Last Name” in the subject line and attach images.  Applications may be mailed (in protective mailer) or hand delivered during business hours (M-F, 9-5) to the Manitoba Craft Council, c/o ACI (Arts & Cultural Industries Assoc of MB), 501–62 Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1E9.  Please include images on CD.

Questions about the exhibition or MCC membership?
Contact MCC’s Programme Coordinator at 927-2787 or mcc@mts.net.