Optimism in Appalachia: Reclaiming Hope through Artwork, Crafts, and Poetry
Marshall University Library Exhibition 2023
MISSION STATEMENT
Hardships due to numerous and evolving tragedies such as global pandemic, financial insecurity, and the climate crisis can threaten to overwhelm our mental health and sense of hope for the future. Creative expression is an outlet that can encourage, reveal, and buoy optimism for the future. The goal of this exhibition is to highlight creative works that reveal, illuminate, and engage audiences to a sense of happiness and hope. In Optimism in Appalachia: Reclaiming Hope through Artwork, Crafts, and Poetry, we encourage artists, writers, and crafters to display their work that highlights a sense of hope, joy, and anticipation for a better future. We encourage our students, faculty, staff and community members to display work that will encourage a creative and hopeful spirit on campus and throughout Appalachia.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• Each work must include a few sentences on how or why their work fits within the theme of the show. See entry form.
• All work must be fully assembled, completely dry, and ready to display in a highly trafficked public setting.
• Frames are required for 2D work, including poetry and other short works of literature must have hanging wire on the back.
• 3D work must be no larger than 45 inches high by 26 inches wide, by 7 inches deep, and weigh 5lbs or less to fit within locked display cases.
• Framed work and wall-hanging, three dimensional pieces must be wired securely. All other three-dimensional works must self-supporting.
Works not meeting these requirements WILL NOT be considered for the exhibition.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all Community artists.
Artists may enter as many pieces as they wish for jurying. All visual media except for video is welcome. Works will be selected on site by the jurors. The juror reserves the right to eliminate any work that does not meet the standards of quality for the exhibition.
Complete an entry form and submit with artwork that is ready to hang. Please attach entry label to the back of each piece with full information, write clearly. Entry forms are located at the front desk of the Visual Arts Center, or Circulation Desk at Drinko Library.
Delivery of entries are to be dropped off at Drinko Library 213A, December 8 and December 9 from 9:00am-5:00pm.
IMPORTANT DATES
Show dates:
• January 9 - May 5, 2023
Drop off entries to library:
• Dec. 8 & 9, 2022 | 8:30am - 5pm
Jurors select artworks:
• Dec. 12, 2022
Email notification of accepted/not accepted works:
• Dec. 13, 2022
Pickup artwork not selected:
• Dec. 14 & 15, 2022 | 8:30am - 5pm
Install dates:
• December 16, 2022
Pickup artwork at the end of exhibit:
• May 8 - 12, 2022 | 9:00am - 5pm
JURORS
Sabrina Thomas, Head of Research and Instruction Services
Dr. Heather Stark, Art Historian, School of Art & Design
Jamie Platt, Gallery Director/Facilities Coordinator, School of Art and Design
QUESTIONS? Contact Sabrina Thomas, Head of Research and Instruction Services at sabrina.thomas@marshall.edu or 304-696-3627.
Submitting an entry form to this exhibition constitutes an agreement on the part of the artists with all conditions to this prospectus.
No work accepted for the exhibition may be withdrawn before the closing date. We reserve the right to refuse any entry, if, upon arrival, the work is found unacceptable. All artwork will be photographed and images stored in Marshall Digital Scholar.
