Fischman Gallery Call for Artists

"Regional Reflections: A Celebration of Glass Art"

Fischman Gallery and Bravissima!, Women Supporting the Arts, announce a call for entries for "Regional Reflections: A Celebration of Glass Art," a regional juried exhibition at Fischman Gallery in Johnson City, Tennessee. Artists are encouraged to submit glass work in any form, including hot and warm glass, blown glass, lampworking, slumping, casting, and fusing. Mixed media with glass dominant (at least 75 percent) is acceptable as are collaborative works. The Juror will be Mark Russell, professional glass artist at The Firehall Glass Studio, Greeneville, Tenn. Submission deadline: August 1, 2024.

Exhibition dates: Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 27, 2024. 

Fischman Gallery is located in Atelier 133, a renovated warehouse space located at 133 N Commerce Street in downtown Johnson City. Fischman Gallery held its first art exhibit in May 2022, and hosts monthly exhibits featuring local and regional artists. Atelier 133 includes the gallery, 14  for-rent studios, and a bakery-café. The gallery is adjacent to King Commons Park and a block away from Founders Park and the Founders Park Pavilion, home of the Johnson City Farmers Market. The central downtown area of Johnson City is filled with public art–including murals, sculpture, art banners, utility box wraps, and sidewalk quotations. The two public parks hold many art-related events during Spring, Summer, and Fall. Fischman Gallery is open every day of the week, and hosts opening receptions on First Fridays.

Bravissima! is a group of diverse, philanthropic women who have made a yearly commitment to sponsor the Arts in our region. Each year, the women decide on an arts project or performance to fund. By recognizing the impact of many together over the individual, they have begun a growing movement, showing the strength and commitment to the Arts in our beautiful Appalachian Highlands region. More information can be found at https://www.bravissima-arts.org/

About the Juror: Mark Russell began his career in the 1970s as a full-time exhibiting glass artist. After studying painting and glass at the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University, he built his first rudimentary glass studio in a pasture on his working farm. Today, he has a state-of-the-art hot glass studio in a former municipal fire hall building near the downtown historic district of Greeneville, Tennessee. The studio serves as a commitment to his craft and his desire to create a space where creativity can flourish. Russell’s personal studio serves as a haven for aspiring artists seeking to learn and refine their skills, and serves as a hub for public events, including demonstrations, visits from fellow artists, and residency programs. Russell has taught and shared his knowledge of glass and art in numerous workshops, schools, and colleges across America and abroad, as well as in his personal studio. His award-winning glass is included in major public, corporate, and private collections including Corning Museum of Glass, High Museum, Tennessee State Museum, and the Disney Corporation.

Eligibility: Regional artists aged 18+ residing in the Appalachian regions of East Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. Check the list at https://www.arc.gov/appalachian-counties-served-by-arc/ to verify.

Entries: All submitted entries must be original and completed within the past five years. Wall pieces must be ready to hang with appropriate devices; framed work must have a wire for hanging–no sawtooth hangers; work not to exceed 60" on longest side. Three-dimensional work may not exceed 100 pounds in weight and 2' in diameter. Pieces will be displayed on brick or painted white sheet-rock walls and black or white pedestals of varying heights. Videos will not be accepted.

Transportation, shipping, and related expenses to and from Fischman Gallery are the sole responsibility of the artist. Fischman Gallery will use the same shipping/delivery method used by the artist for return of artwork. In-person delivery is preferred, but if artwork is shipped, artist must supply a return, pre-paid shipping label. All work to be exhibited, whether hand-delivered or shipped to Fischman Gallery, must be received between September 28 and September 30.

The object(s), to include time of receipt, exhibition timeframe, and repacking period, will be insured by Fischman Gallery. Insurance during transport to and from the gallery is the responsibility of the lender.

Artists may submit up to three (3) pieces for exhibit consideration. Each piece should be represented by up to two hi-res (300 dpi) images in jpeg or png format. Photos should be labeled with artist's last name and numbered in sequence from 1-3, using letters (a,b) for multiple images of the same piece. The application will require information for each submitted work, including the photo label, title of work, medium, date created, and dimensions of work. Artists will also submit a written statement of 100 words or less that includes a description of their work. Application form must be filled out completely. Once accepted, artists will be required to fill out a Fischman Gallery loan agreement form.

Entry fee: $35 for three submissions; $25 for student submissions. 

Awards: Cash prizes for Juror's Awards: First ($1,500), Second ($1,000), and Third ($750) place. Up to five Honorable Mentions at $200 each will be awarded. A Peoples' Choice award will be given also ($500), along with a Student Award ($500).

Work may or may not be for sale during the duration of the exhibit. Work not for sale must be labeled NFS. Fischman Gallery will take a 30 percent commission for any work sold. Purchasers will be required to pay Tennessee sales tax. Artists’ checks for any work sold will be sent out after the show closes by the 15th of November.

Application and additional information will be available by May 1.

Timeline:

-May 1, 2024: Official call and application available

-August 1, 2024: Deadline for artists submissions

-September 4, 2024: Notification of acceptance (by email)

-September 28-30, 2024, between 11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Accepted art pieces to be delivered to Fischman Gallery

-Monday, September 30 – Thursday, October 3, 2024: Exhibit installation

-Friday, October 4, 2024: Exhibition opening and announcement of juried winners

-Sunday, October 27, 2024: Closing day of exhibition. Work can be picked up after 3 p.m. Arrangements can be made to pick up work by Tuesday, October 30, if necessary.