Call for Entries – Distant Cousins: Jewish and Muslim Women Speak Exhibition

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Sponsored by the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center Inc.
Jan Hanvik, Executive Director
107 Suffolk Street Room 312
New York NY 10002
New York State Department of Cultural Affairs

Distant Cousins: Jewish and Muslim Women Speak is an art exhibition. The curator is Haifa Bint-Kadi, Palestinian-American and a New York public art artist, mosaicist, teaching artist, lecturer and participant of The Dialogue Project. Distant Cousins: Jewish and Muslim Women Speak was conceived to recognize and make public and explicit the intimate unearthed, unspoken conversations between Muslim and Jewish women.

“Much of the dialogue that exists in the political realm is driven by male politicians and pundits.”

Expressed through art, these are conversations that may have remained in the subconscious, conversations that may inform the artist’s work or conversations that may have needed a unique forum to be heard. Palestine is often at the center of Jewish and Muslim dialogue and many Palestinian and Jewish artists use their work to respond to the current situation, but the artist should not limit themselves to that conflict. Gender issues, patriarchal structures, motherhood, challenging traditional or cultural roles, faith traditions, integrating feminism within faith practice, tradition or art and many other issues may be deeply embedded in an artist’s work. Much of the dialogue that exists in the political realm is driven by male politicians and pundits. The personal is political, but the curator seeks to provide a venue without male constructs and one that is partly described and constructed and de-constructed by female voices.

Artworks selected by the curator will have the opportunity to be show cased in an exhibition at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Center Gallery on April 18, 2011 to May 13, 2011. The exhibition will include artist talks, performances and short film screenings. The exhibition will also be traveling to other venues at the Philipse Manor Hall, Manhattanville College and others.

ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to any living female artist who indentifies as Jewish or Muslim. Works must be original, completed after September 1, 2009

SUBJECT: The curator will select exceptional artworks that depict, make explicit, translate, identify, make apparent, interpret or in some way express the artist’s faith-based voice, cultural perspective, point of view and the strength of connection to the description (above).

FORMAT: Original, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, mixed-media, sculpture, fiber art, mosaic and installations will be considered. Qualifying Media include: oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, mixed media, pastel, pencil, pen and ink, tempura, batik, scratchboard or original prints. If you are not sure about qualifications please email the curator at: [email protected] or [email protected]

SIZE RESTRICTION FOR ENTERED ARTWORKS: Including frame or mat, the maximum size for entered artworks is 1824 square inches. Calculate by multiplying the horizontal and vertical dimensions. Example: A 48” x 36” painting would equal 1778 square inches. The curator is willing to make special consideration for fiber art, sculptures or other large pieces that strongly connect to the theme.

Entries must be postmarked by January 30, 2010
Reception Friday, April 22, 2011 7:00 pm

ENTRY FEES: None

LIMIT: There is no limit to number of entries by an individual artist.

ENTRY FORMAT: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS ONLY WILL BE ACCEPTED. Photographs will be projected onto a large screen for viewing. Professional quality, high resolution photography is encouraged. Emailed entries will be accepted. We reserve the right to refuse any accepted artwork deemed unsuitable due to a difference in quality from the submitted digital photograph.

DIGITAL SPECIFICATIONS: Be sure your image fits in its entirety on your screen, generally a resolution of around 150 dpi will insure the image is large enough for viewing. Save in jpeg format. Make only one copy of each image on your CD. Sculptures and mosaics will be allowed up to three images each including close-ups.
Submit multiple entries on ONE CD. Make sure you name the file before saving to include entry # (i.e. entry 1, entry 2, etc) plus the title. Make sure multiple entries are in the same sequence they are listed on your entry form.
On the surface of the CD you may either write directly (do not etch into the surface), or if you have the software, burn information on the surface to include at least your name. If there is room list entries in proper sequence and titles. More inclusive information should be on your entry form as requested.
Finally, check your CD before you mail to make sure your entry images are there and in proper order. Enclose the CD in a protective CD case.

RETURN OF CDs: CDs will not be returned. Make sure you have copies for your files before sending.

ENCLOSE A PRINTED HARD COPY OF EACH ENTRY IMAGE WITH YOUR ENTRY. Entries without print-outs will be disqualified.

ENTRY FORM
The entry form will consist of a COMPLETE PACKAGE with the following:
1. A title page with:
• titles in order as they appear on the CD
• dimensions, year and medium
• (Overseas entries may take as much as two weeks so mail your entries early)
• Your name, address, telephone number, and email and web site if available (not a requirement).
• Indication of whether or not art work is for sale. If for sale, include price.
2. One CD with your images in the same order that they appear on the title list and with your name written on the CD. You may also write your name on the CD case.
Please send multiple entries in one envelope. Haifa Bint-Kadi and Jan Hanvik, the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center Inc. are not responsible for loss or damage of CDs. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish to be notified directly of your entry’s receipt. You may choose the option of being notified by email.

NOTIFICATION
Artists whose artwork has been selected will be notified by U.S. mail, sent to the address provided on the entry form by February 15, 2011. CDs of artists selected will be retained. Shipping instructions, a Loan Form, and other instructions and deadlines will be sent along with notification of acceptance. Compliance with instructions is a condition of entry and acceptance. Use checklist provided before you mail. It will be important to have your artwork ready for shipment upon notification.

CRATING, SHIPPING AND INSURANCE
Artists are responsible for packing, crating, shipping and insurance during shipping to the exhibition. No liability for loss or damage will be assumed by Jan Hanvik, the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center Inc. and Haifa Bint-Kadi.
Artists will receive some funding for shipping and insurance. Explicit crating and shipping instructions and deadlines will be included with notification of acceptance.
The curator will insure artworks once received in good condition, and thereafter until returned to artist/lender. Return shipping of artwork will be pre-paid by curator should the artwork be selected for a national tour.

PENDING NATIONAL TOUR OF EXHIBITION: As a condition of entry, all entries must be available, if selected, for a national tour of Distant Cousins: Jewish and Muslim Women Speak through 2011. The curator will notify artists if their work is selected for a national tour. All shipping and insurance costs for additional venues will be assumed by the curator.

SALES: The artist retains the right to decide whether or not accepted entries may be available for sale. Artists shall determine their sales price based on the current value of their work. During the exhibition dates, the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center Inc. retains the right to sell exhibited work from Distant Cousins: Jewish and Muslim Women Speak which will retain 30% as commission and will pay to artist 70% of the selling price. Please keep this in mind as your price your work. Please understand that your work for sale or not is not a condition of acceptance to the exhibition.

COPYRIGHT AND REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: As a condition of entry, entrant grants Distant Cousins: Jewish and Muslim Women Speak the right to reproduce accepted artworks in materials such as catalogue, press releases, publications, brochures, leaflets, invitations, radio or television announcements, or other printed or electronic media, for advertising, education, and publicity for this and any future exhibitions and competitions.

MAIL ENTRIES TO:
FOR REGULAR MAIL AND FOR UPS/FED EX :
Art & Soul Studio
c/o Haifa Bint-Kadi
63 Main Street
Floor 3
Yonkers, NY 10701

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email: Haifa Bint-Kadi at [email protected] or call 914-423-1893