August 20, 2013

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR 2ND ANNUAL OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS

TAMPA BAY – The deadline to submit art works for the 2nd annual Open Call to Artists exhibition is quickly approaching. The Tampa Bay Times Forum and the Lightning Foundation are asking the local arts community to submit pieces of original artwork to be put on display in the arena during the 2013-14 season. Submissions are due by August 28, 2013 and artists will be notified by September 20 if accepted into the exhibition.

Interested artists may submit artwork in the form of a painting, photography, drawing or sculpture by logging onto www.tampabaylightning.com/art. Computer art will not be accepted. Artists must be 13 years of age or older and must live or work in the greater Tampa Bay community (Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter, Lake, Orange or Sarasota counties). Each individual may submit up to three fully-completed, original works of art. All hanging artwork shall be no larger than 6'x6’, including the frame. Sculptures are limited to 7-feet in height with varying widths accepted. Artists should submit photographs of their artwork on the website for consideration; the deadline will be August 28, 2013 and artists will be notified of acceptance into the Exhibition on September 20, 2013.

The exhibit’s goal is to display images that celebrate the history of the Tampa Bay area. A panel composed of local art community leaders from Tampa Bay-area museums will select up to 41 pieces (including sculptures) to be displayed at the Times Forum, on the interior walls of the Suite Level. The jury will select each submission based on the pieces’ visual and conceptual impact, and the degree to which it celebrates the Tampa Bay community. The highest-rated pieces as scored by the jury will determine the cash prizes. The top three highest-ranked pieces of art, as selected by the jury, will receive a cash prize in the amounts of: $1500, $1000, and $500 respectively; honorable mentions of pieces ranked four through 10 will each receive $250. All artists will be invited to a reception this fall at which the installed artwork will be unveiled.

To view the winners from last year, please click the above link to visit a gallery from our unveiling Celebration of the Arts event, as well as to see interviews with the many of the artist who won.

For any questions, please contact Kelley Cureton at kcureton@tampabaytimesforum.com.

~BE THE THUNDER~