FAQs for artists about our 4th Annual Group Show

Reminder to all local artists that the deadline to enter the Hants County Arts Council's 4th annual group show at the Bread Gallery is this Sunday at Midnight!

We've had a very nice variety of work submitted so far, but we still have lots of room to include much, much more!

For those of you who have been on the fence as to whether you should submit something, here are a few FAQs that might help motivate you to enter:

 

Q) Can I show artwork that was previously shown at the Harvest show?

A) Yes, artists are welcome to submit any work that has been created within the last year and that has not already been displayed at the Bread Gallery.

 

 

Q) I don't have the best camera, will my photos be good enough?

A) Ideally we would like to see images measuring at least 6 inches at a DPI of 300. We will accept images taken on a tablet if the image is sharp and the colours are accurate, however these images will not be considered for the handbill and advertising because the image quality is too poor for print.

 

 

Q) How many pieces can I submit?

 

A) Each member is encouraged to submit up to 7 pieces; please include titles, medium and sizes with your attached images.

 

Q) Who makes up the jury?

 

A) Gallery owner Joan McKenzie has invited establish artists from the area and a curator from another reputable gallery to join her in curating this year's showcase. The process will be moderated by HCAC president Tacha Reed.

 

Q) I'm still not quite finished a few pieces, can I still apply to be in the show?

A) Yes, for any work that is still in mid-production, please send us an image of the in-progress work with a brief description of your intent and we will include the work for consideration.

 

 

Q) My work is really different than many of the other members, do you think it will fit in?

A) Yes, we want to show off the full spectrum of the arts community here in Hants County and there are many of us who don't fit into the box, and that is something to be celebrated!

 

 

More information on the Hants County Arts Council's 4th annual group show at the Bread Gallery HERE

 

Calling all Artists!

* The cost is $20 per member to participate. This fee goes towards advertising costs, including an ad in the Hants Journal, an ad in The Grapevine (distributed throughout the Annapolis Valley) and posters distributed throughout Windsor and nearby communities. (Handbills will be provided by the Bread Gallery). New members are welcome to participate, membership forms can be found on our website: www.hantscountyartscouncil.ca

* Each member may display between 4-7 pieces depending on the size [4 larger pieces (over 24”) or up to 7 smaller pieces]. We also have several shelves available for artists displaying smaller items like pottery or jewellery (one - two shelves per artist/artisan)

* Each artists is asked to provide a high resolution photograph of a piece that they plan to display. This image will be used for advertising purposes. Please email images to tacha.reed@gmail.com by January 25th

* The Bread Gallery receives 35% of the sales, please keep this in mind when pricing your work. A consignment contract will be provided to participating artists.

Artwork may be dropped off at the Bread Gallery the weekend of February 8th and 9th during business hours; Saturday 8am - 5pm andSunday 10am - 4pm.

Take-down will be the afternoon of March 30th. Please contact us if you need to make alternate arrangements for drop off or pick-up.

  

An opening reception will be hosted by the Bread Gallery on Saturday February 15th from 2-5pm.

For those interested in taking part please contact Tacha before January 20th at tacha.reed@gmail.com  to book your spot!

Annual HCAC Group Showcase at the Bread Gallery,

February 15^th – March 30^th 2014

Welcome Winter!

 As we welcome in winter, the HCAC looks back fondly on the year that has just passed. 

The fall is always busy time for us here at the HCAC as we put together our biggest group show of the year, the Harvest Festival of Art. This past October 14th-16th we once again took over the Vaughan Shand Centre in Windsor for a weekend of art appreciation. 

 

Dr Avery Vaughan receiving his "Hall of Fame" award

Twenty of our members displayed over 150 unique art pieces and we were pleased that several members were able to provide artist demonstrations throughout the event. 

This year's event was very well attended thanks to the crowds from the Pumpkin Festival and sales were at an all time high, leaving everyone who participated eagerly anticipating next years event!
 

Even though today is just the first day of winter we are already looking ahead to the spring and our next group show. This will be a more intimate affair, taking place at the Bread Gallery in Brooklyn next March. 

If you are a member who has yet to participate in a group show, but would like to, then please contact us and reserve your space. There is limited space for this particular showcase so I encourage you to act quickly to ensure inclusion.
Another big project that will be taking up our time over the next few months is the publication of our 2013 Arts Digest. Inclusion in the digest is free for all members and includes a 40 word biography. With 15 000 copies printed, 14 000 of which are delivered directly to homes in Hants County, the Arts Digests has proven itself to be a very valuable promotional tool. 

Additional advertising space is also available at very a reasonable price allowing you to increase the visibility of your work and show your support of the arts and culture of our local community. Look for full details on our next edition of the Arts Digest coming this January.

 

With the holidays now here, we at the HCAC wish you all a lovely season filled with warmth, comfort and good cheer and we look forward to your continuing support in 2013!

14th Annual Great Little Art Show

Avon River Heritage Museum, 17 Belmont Road
Newport Landing, near Avondale, Hants County

Friday April 27- Sunday, April 29

For longer than a decade, this show has been an important means for promoting visual arts in Hants County.

Casually the organizers say it's "a great little show with a lot of great, local art!"

More officially, it is a venue for both professional and novice local artists to display and sell their work in a semi-formal environment. Each spring we look forward to seeing the work of participants and the blossoming of new talent.

"The Great Little Art Show is our most important fund raising event. Sales of the exhibits provide the Avon River Heritage Society with the needed capital it requires to keep our community museum operating from year to year."


The show will get under way with a wine and cheese reception on Friday, April 27 from 7pm to 9pm with a special guest speaker sculptor Alison MacNeil.

The show continues over the weekend with viewings at the following times:
• Saturday, April 28 10am – 5 pm
• Sunday, April 29 11am – 3pm

Admission: $7.00 for Friday night opening; $2.00 Saturday and Sunday; Children under 12, free.




For more information contact:
Andrew Fisher, 757-2787glas@avonriver.ca
General Museum enquiries, please call 757-1718 and leave a message
Or you can email: info@avonriver.ca

The Smell of Art is in the Air!

Many of us artists and artisans are relieved by winters arrival because it means a break from the constant back and forth between production and sales. This time allows us a chance to relax and experiment again, taking us down new paths, creating brand new work. After several months of a slightly more relaxed schedule I know that I suddenly have the spring itch to get out there and show the world what I've been making during my hibernation.

This spring there are a lot of local great shows scheduled and many have application deadlines coming up quickly.

With only 1 day left to apply, interested young folks should get themselves in motion for a chance to take part in a Gifted Young Artist Retreat hosted by Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. The centre is inviting talented high school students to apply for a unique opportunity for young Nova Scotian artists to collaborate across the arts. Nova Scotia educators (including the Department of Education and the NS Teachers Union) will be holding a Summit on Gifted Education and Talent Development at Mount St. Vincent University on May 23–25. Ross Creek Centre for the Arts is inviting NS high school aged arts students to apply for a week-long experience to collaborate with their peers under professional guidance, culminating in a presentation at the Summit. This is an amazing opportunity for young creative individuals! If this sounds like a perfect fit for you, then quick, ask a teacher and and an artist for their endorsement so you can take advantage of this amazing experience! DEADLINE MARCH 9th

One event that has been creating a great deal of excitement locally is the Avondale Art Fair. This juried show will be accepting 100 artists for their one day outdoor event being held in pastoral Newport Landing, overlooking the Avon River and its spectacular tidal bore. On Saturday, June 16th this charming little village will burgeon into the best art fair venue around! The organizers are looking to showcase exceptional artwork that will include paintings, jewelry, pottery, glass, sculpture, fiber, leather, photography and more! DEADLINE MARCH 15th

Another event I'm personally really looking forward to is the 2nd Annual Art vs Craft, taking place in Halifax July 21st & 22nd at the Forum. This show is for the more quirky creative folks, like myself, who might be a little bit out there with our creations. Since this show is held in such a large space it has the ability to feature a wide variety of artists and there will definitely be an emphasis placed on including really unique creations. DEADLINE MARCH 23

Another wonderful local show, now in it's 14th year, is The Great Little Art Show. This 3 day show running April 27th-April 29th has proven itself an important means for promoting visual arts in West Hants, creating a venue for both professional and novice artists to display and sell their work in a semi-formal environment. Sales of the exhibits provide the Avon River Heritage Society with the needed capital it requires to keep the museum operating from year to year. DEADLINE APRIL 10th

So, those of you, like myself who have enjoyed a winter of creating - it is now time to photograph all that work and start applying so that you too can share your creations with everyone else this spring!

Good luck!

Submitted by Tacha Reed, originally posted on www.pistaciapages.blogspot.com