Call Open: February 22, 2022 - March 28, 2022
In support of VAE’s upcoming exhibition that centers the Black Culinary Experience, we are seeking mixed media submissions to be included in the exhibition. The exhibition will open in early/mid-May and close at the end of July, 2022. The concept is to focus on the rich food traditions of the African Diaspora. The Untitled Black Culinary Experience exhibition is the embodiment of food as joy, liberation, and preservation through commensality and visual art. The open call will be juried by VAE staff as well as the exhibition steering committee. Our steering committee is made up of members in our community whose careers, interests, and practices align with the mission of the exhibition. We have built a steering committee of folks from the US who cook, organize, create art, and/or study trends in the Black Culinary Experience.
We are seeking submissions by artists using any medium; including but not limited to: photography, painting, sculpture, fibers, etc. 2D, 3D, and video works will be considered. We strongly encourage artists with disabilities, undocumented backgrounds, and members of historically marginalized communities to apply.
Who is BCE for?
Members of the African Diaspora living in America
What is BCE?
BCE is the embodiment of food as joy, liberation, and preservation through commensality and visual art. The exhibition will have a focus on food, tools, and eating together.
When will BCE be available to the public?
May - July, 2022. The goal is to have the exhibition be in line with a Juneteenth Celebration.
Why is BCE important?
Food is a necessity that many Enslaved Black Americans and Africans were denied safe access to. Even though they brought their knowledge and expertise to the land and facilitated bountiful harvests, they very rarely were able to enjoy the crops they grew in the same way the slave owners did.
Our ancestors live vicariously through every dish we make.
Entry Information:
To use the online form to submit information about and images of your work, please review these instructions for naming your files.
All files should be named like so: 01_LASTNAME_TITLE.jpg, 02_LASTNAME_TITLE.jpg.
Still images should be sent as jpegs should be at least 1000px at their widest dimension, not to exceed 2MB per image. 2D artists may submit one JPEG per entry. 3D artists may submit two JPEGS (one full shot and one detail) per entry. Follow the filename format for works as indicated above),
Eligibility
The call for art is open to any living artist. A maximum of 2 works of any medium, per artist may be submitted. Two- and three-dimensional entries will be accepted. Work must be original and completed in the last 5 years. VAE Raleigh reserves the right to exclude work due to size or special requirements. Entries must be hand-delivered to the gallery or mailed in a returnable container.
We will not exhibit or financially support work that co-opts the story of a community without representation from that community acting in a decision making role.
Accessibility
VAE’s gallery entrance, lobby, and exhibition space are all located on the ground floor with accessible paths of travel. The space has flexible seating and restrooms. Our aim is to make entering our exhibitions accessible to everyone. If you need any additional information or accommodations in order to enter this exhibition please email Ant Lobo-Ladd (ant@vaeraleigh.org) or call 919.828.7834 and leave a message.
Visit our accessibility page for more information.
Shipping Artwork
Ship artwork using sturdy, reusable packing materials. Do not include pre-paid return postage in case the artwork sells during the run of the exhibition. Following the exhibition, each artist who shipped their work will be contacted by the Director of Exhibitions so that the piece may be returned.
Ship To:
VAE Raleigh
c/o Ant Lobo-Ladd
410 Glenwood Avenue #170
Raleigh, NC 27603
Sales
VAE Raleigh will retain a commission of 25% for all works sold during the run of the exhibition. If a work is not for sale, please enter "NFS" in the "Price for Entry" field in the entry form. An insurance value is still required for artworks that are not for sale.
Liability
All entries will be handled with the utmost care and respect. VAE is not liable for artwork during transportation to or from the gallery but does carry a blanket inland marine policy that covers most fine artworks and craft items up to $5,000. VAE reserves the right to refuse coverage to artwork with inherent vices, high values, or that is deemed unstable.
Questions? Email Ant! (they/them)