Entry Deadline Friday, February 17

Join us for one of Columbia’s most celebrated springtime fundraisers.  The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties is pleased to announce our upcoming 8th annual Color the Arts fundraiser on Friday, April 20, 2012. This popular event is designed to increase awareness of and support for artists in Richland and Lexington Counties and to fund the grants that are awarded each year to local artists and arts organizations. Over 350 business leaders and arts patrons attended the 2011 event and our goal for 2012 is to welcome even more attendees.

Color the Arts will again include a juried art show featuring artists residing in Richland and Lexington Counties. Artists are invited to submit work for this sale and exhibition to be held on April 20, 6-9 pm in the charming courtyard plaza of First Citizens’ Bank located on Main Street. Selected artists will be promoted and highlighted in Color the Arts event marketing materials, including print, tv, outdoor, website and social media. Click on the EVENTS tab above to be inspired by photos from last year’s fundraiser!

Jurors The jury panel will be comprised of Council representatives and regional arts professionals.

Guidelines for Entries

• Artists residing in Richland or Lexington Counties are eligible. Color the Arts is a fundraising event at which alcohol is served. Participating artists must be at least 21 years of age to participate and attend.
• Approximately 14-16 artists will be selected with a goal of representing a variety of media.
• All media are eligible. The Cultural Council is looking for entries in the following categories: Ceramics, Fiber/Wood/Leather, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Photography, Two Dimensional (Drawing, Oil/Acrylic, Printmaking/Graphics, Watercolor)

Required Submission Materials are due by February 17, 2012

• An artist must submit three electronic images representative of his or her original work for entry. Images do not necessarily have to be those exact works that will be offered for sale but should accurately reflect the size, media and quality of work, if selected. Submitted images must be in digital format. The maximum file size is 3MB; minimum file size is 300 dpi, 640 pixels x 480 pixels. Files must be .jpeg, .gif, .pdf, .png or .tiff format. Each submitted file must be labeled by work title.
• Artwork Submission Form must be completed which provides contact information and artwork details including title, medium, and size of all works submitted. This must includes a price range of the work intended for exhibit and sale if selected.

Submission Materials and Registration Fees may be submitted three ways:

1. Submit online by clicking on the SUBMIT tab above.  This online form includes the required artwork submission form and will accept an artist’s $15 entry fee through a secure, online PayPal account. The maximum file size for online submission is 3MB. Forms will not be accepted without completing the payment process. Deadline February 10^th.
2. Submit in person by delivering materials to the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties at 930 Richland Street in Columbia. Submission must include digital images (on CD or flash drive), artwork submission form, and non-refundable $15 entry fee made payable to the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties. Phone 799.3115. Must be delivered no later than 4pm February 17^th.
3. Submit by mail by sending materials to: Color the Arts Artist’s Submissions, Attn. Kelly Shockley, The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, 930 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Package should include digital images (on a CD or flash drive), artwork submission form, and a non-refundable $15 entry fee made payable to The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties. Must be postmarked no later than February 15^th.

Guidelines for Works Selected for Color the Arts 2012

• All artists will be notified by February 29 after submissions have been juried.
• The Council reserves the right to use images of submitted works of selected artists for event marketing purposes.
• A special preview “Meet the Artist” event will be held on March 20, 2012 at 6pm following the Council’s board of director’s meeting. Selected artists will be invited to show 1-3 representative works to event sponsors and volunteers.
• If the quality of the work on display for Color the Arts is not representative of the images and media submitted to the jury, the artist may be dismissed from the event.
• During Color the Arts, the Cultural Council will provide two 4’ x 7” wire display grid panels per artist or one 3’ by 8’ table for 3D works. Art must be delivered and installed at 12:30 pm on event day April 20^th. Artists are required to be in attendance during the event – no proxy representatives are permitted. All unsold artwork must be removed when the event concludes.
• Awards: Best of Show and  honorable mentions will be awarded by the jurors on event day.
  
• All work exhibited must be original and for sale; the Cultural Council retains a 40 percent commission on all work sold. All work must be family-friendly and appropriate for display in a public space. As Color the Arts is a “colorfully casual” event, artists are encouraged to set the price of art at a fair and affordable level. SC sales tax will be added to each purchase.
• The Cultural Council will process all sales during the event. Unsold art must be removed at the end of the event.
• In case of inclement weather the event will be held indoors at First Citizens’ Bank.

Dates to Remember

February 17, 2012 Deadline for all entries

February 29, 2012 Selections announced via e-mail

March 20, 2012 Meet the Artist – sponsors and host committee preview event

April 20, 2012  Color the Arts

May 4, 2012 Payment to artists will be remitted no later than May 4

For questions regarding art submissions or this event, contact Kelly Shockley kelly.shockley318@gmail.com or 803.463.7733

Disclaimer: The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties is not responsible for damage to works submitted. By submitting payment online, you consent to all the conditions specified in the above guidelines. Incomplete submissions or submissions that do not comply with the above guidelines will not be considered. The Council reserves the right to refuse to display any works deemed inappropriate for any reason. All decisions made by jurors are final.