Expressions West 2024

Event Dates: 19 April – 23 June 2024 
Entry Deadline: 31 January 2024
Opening Night Reception & Awards Ceremony – Friday, 26 April 2024, 5-7 p.m. 
Coos Art Museum, 235 Anderson Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420

Eligibility

Artists residing in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are invited to provide up to three submissions.

ELIGIBLE ART MEDIUMS: Allowed with the following criteria
Paintings – limitation of 48 inches in any direction – this includes the frame.
Drawings – limitation of 48 inches in any direction – this includes the frame.
Hand pulled prints – limitation of 48 inches in any direction – this includes the frame.
Mixed media – limitation of 48 inches in any direction – this includes the frame.
Fiber & textiles – limitation of 48 inches in any direction – this includes the frame or mounting device.
Fiber & textiles – wearable – must supply display device.
Small sculptures – weight limitation of 50 lbs. and 48″ inches in any direction.
Glass – blown, fused or leaded stained – if to be suspended, must include a secure hanging or display device.
Turned and carved wood – weight limitation of 50 lbs. and 48″ inches in any direction.
Jewelry – only if ALL elements were created by the artist.
Any and all themes of expression define the parameters of acceptable entries.

General Rules

Each artist can provide a total of up to three (3) submissions. There is a non-refundable fee of $20 for the first submission, $10 for the second submission and $10 for the third submission. Artworks submitted must have been created within the last 2 years (2022 – 2024) with a framed size limitation of 48 inches in any direction and a weight limitation of 50 pounds.

If you are submitting a work that is part of a series, the submitted piece MUST be unique and distinguishable from any of your other works of art. Works that have previously been exhibited at Coos Art Museum are NOT eligible.

Artworks that are accepted must be the same as the images on the files entered – no substitutions or modifications.

NOTE: If your work is a replica of another person’s work – Title MUST contain notation of the original work and original artist. Example: “A Study of the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo DaVinci”

INELIGIBLE ART MEDIUMS: Photography, video, motion picture film, audio, giclée prints of original fine art, and furniture.

Deadline for submissions is 31 January 2024
Notice of acceptance will be sent by 15 February 2024

Cash Awards

First Place Award will receive cash prize of $1000. Second Place Award will receive cash prize of $750. Third Place Award will receive cash prize of $250.

Non Cash Awards

Four Honorable Mention ribbons will also be awarded.

Sales

Works in the exhibition may be available for sale. After deducting any transaction fees, the proceeds from art sales will be split 70/30, with the artist receiving 70% and the Museum receiving 30%. Artists should price their works with this in mind. All sales made at the Museum during the exhibition are final. Payment will be made within three weeks from end of show. Entry confirms all terms of this agreement.

Delivery and Pickup of Art Works

Artists whose work is accepted must have artworks delivered to the Museum via carrier service at their own expense for arrival between March 26 through 29, 2024. Hand delivered work will be received at the Museum on Friday, 29 March 11am – 4pm, and Saturday, 30 March through Sunday 31 March 2024 between 1 and 4 pm. Artists must make pre-paid arrangements to have their work returned to them, or may pick up their work in person at the Museum on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 through Friday, June 28, 11 – 4pm or Saturday and Sunday, 29 – 30 June 1 – 4pm.

General Specifications

Works must be ready for hanging and have a framed size of no more than 48 inches in any direction. All work must be neatly labeled on the back with the artist’s name, address, and phone number. Labels must also show the work’s Title, Medium, Date of Creation, and (retail) value of the piece as set by the artist. Art is insured while in the Museum from
21 March through 30 June, 2024.

Juror: Kelsey Garrett

Kelsey Garrett is a Los Angeles-based artist with a background in oil and acrylic painting, as well as digital media. She applied her fine art training to working as a scenic painter at regional theaters such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Play House, and Pittsburgh Opera. Since graduating with her MFA from Carnegie Mellon University, Kelsey has worked as a set designer and art director in film and television. Her recent credits include NBC’s Quantum Leap,CW’s The Winchesters, and Universal’s upcoming feature Twisters.

Juror: Natalie Hargreaves

Natalie (Laswell) Hargreaves (b. 1985 in Silverton, Oregon) works in multiple media, with a focus on oil painting, ceramics, collage, and textile sculpture. Their work is inspired by memories, found objects, as well as real and imagined environments. They received an MFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art in 2020, where they were mentored by Jessica Jackson-Hutchins, Cynthia Lahti, and D.E. May. They currently live in Coos Bay, Oregon, where they work as Curator of Collections, and Art Education at Coos Art Museum

Juror: Pat Snyder

Pat Snyder (b.1940 in Traverse City, Michigan) works with painting, drawing, collage, and printmaking, ranging from realism to abstraction. Snyder explores the essence of the Oregon South Coast by interpreting nature’s surfaces, light, and layering within his work. He obtained an MA with emphasis on printmaking from Northern Illinois University in 1967. Snyder is a former art teacher of 30 years at Marshfield High School, and Southwestern Community College. He lives and works in Coos Bay, where he teaches art classes at Coos Art Museum.

Coos Art Museum (CAM)

Coos Art Museum, located in the coastal town of Coos Bay, Oregon, is a dynamic cultural institution dedicated to celebrating the arts and nurturing creativity within our community. As the sole art museum along the Oregon Coast and the state’s third-oldest art museum, we take pride in being a welcoming community gathering place that lowers conceptual and physical barriers to the arts and enhances the museum’s relevance for local residents. Our museum hosts a rotating selection of up to 20 exhibitions each year, sourced from local and regional artists and institutions. We offer a wide range of educational programs, including classes, workshops, and outreach initiatives, along with frequent public events, designed to engage artists of all ages. With a mission to enrich lives through art, Coos Art Museum serves as a cultural resource on the Oregon Coast, igniting inspiration and fostering connections through the transformative power of visual arts. For additional information, please visit www.coosart.org.

Important Dates:

January 31, 2024 – Deadline for submissions sent to Smarter Entry.
February 15, 2024 – Notification of acceptance/rejection.
March 31, 2024 – Deadline for receiving accepted artwork.
April 26, 2024 – Opening reception 5 – 7 pm
June 25 – 28, 2024 – Hand retrieval of artwork from 11 – 3:30pm
June 25 – 28, 2024 – Artwork returned via couriers.



Use of Digital Tools Coos Art Museum Digital Art-Making Policy for Juried Exhibitions

Introduction:

Coos Art Museum (CAM) recognizes the evolving nature of artmaking and the integration of digital tools into the creative process. As part of our commitment to embracing innovation while maintaining the integrity of our juried exhibitions, CAM has developed this policy to address the use of digital tools in artmaking.

Policy Statement:



1. Eligibility: Artists are encouraged to submit artworks that incorporate digital tools as part of their creative process. Artists must adhere to the guidelines outlined in this policy to ensure their eligibility for CAM juried exhibitions.

2. Definition of Digital Tools: Digital tools include, but are not limited to, software applications, digital tablets, computer-generated graphics, digital photography, 3D printing, and any other technology-based tools used in the creation of artwork.

3. Acceptable Use of Digital Tools: Artworks created with digital tools are welcome in CAM juried exhibitions, provided that the artist demonstrates creative intent, originality, and artistic craftsmanship. Artists should clearly describe their use of digital tools in their submission materials to help the jury understand the artistic process. Artworks must primarily consist of the artist’s original content, and the use of digital tools should enhance rather than replace the artist’s creative input. Artificial Intelligence software or A.I. tools imbedded in Photoshop or other digital media are not allowed to be used for artwork competing for prizes in juried exhibitions. Any pieces using such tools are required to include A.I. visual art software or tools in process descriptions. They may be eligible to be juried into an exhibition, but they cannot be considered for prizes.

4. Prohibited Artwork Types: Reproductions and giclées of original artworks are not eligible for CAM juried exhibitions. Artworks that solely consist of digitally altered or manipulated stock images or commercial graphics without significant (approximately 70%) original creative input will not be accepted

5. Submission Guidelines: Artists must accurately represent their artwork and its creation process in their submission materials. Artists should provide a detailed description of how digital tools were used in the creation of their artwork. Artists must confirm that their submitted artwork is an original creation or part of a limited edition, and they retain the rights to reproduce it for exhibition purposes.

6. Jury Selection: All submitted artworks will be evaluated by CAM’s jury based on artistic merit, creativity, and adherence to the guidelines outlined in this policy. The jury may consider the integration of digital tools as part of the artistic process when making selection decisions.

7. Notification and Display: Artists whose work is selected for CAM juried exhibitions will be notified according to the museum’s standard procedures. Accepted artworks using digital tools will be displayed in the exhibition alongside traditional art forms. Artwork media for exhibition labels must include the digital tools used in the creation process. Example terms include, but are not limited to, inkjet and oil, monoprint and acrylic, digital print with hand embellishment.

8. Compliance and Enforcement: CAM reserves the right to disqualify any artwork that does not comply with the guidelines outlined in this policy. In the event of a dispute or uncertainty regarding the eligibility of a digital artwork or an artwork using digital tools in its creation, CAM’s exhibition committee will make the final decision

9. Policy Revision: CAM may periodically review and update this policy to reflect changes in artistic practices and technological advancements. Conclusion: Coos Art Museum recognizes the value of incorporating digital tools into the artmaking process and encourages artists to explore these creative avenues. This policy aims to provide clarity and fairness in evaluating artworks that use digital tools while upholding the integrity of CAM’s juried exhibitions. Artists are encouraged to reach out to CAM for any clarifications or inquiries regarding this policy.