Call for Artists: Modern Romanticism Art Exhibit

The City of Las Vegas Parks, Recs, and Cultural Affairs Galleries program is seeking qualified artworks for an exhibition planned to open in mid-October.

Call to Artists: Modern Romanticism

ISSUE DATE 08/28/2023 at 9:00 a.m. PT

CLOSE DATE 10/03/2023 at 12:00 a.m. PT

LOCATION Charleston Heights Art Center, 800 S. Brush St., Las Vegas, NV  89107

DESCRIPTION

In this exhibit, artists should define the idea of Modern Romanticism in their artwork, by looking to the past at a time in the art world when artists and writers invented a new genre. The Romantic period began around 1780 and ended around 1850.

In this exhibit, artists can use any of the following mediums: Painting (Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor), Drawing Materials (Graphite, Charcoal, Pastels, Ink and wash), Video/Film, Photography, Collage, Sculpture, and Ceramics.

They should look at past subjects and artists, and artwork styles/techniques and approaches for personal inspiration. Along with this, they will use contemporary subjects from today.

GOAL

Using the following Five I’s of Romanticism create an artwork in which the focus does justice to these artistic ideals: imagination, intuition, individuality, idealism, and inspiration. Additionally, look at the subjects that motivated artists of the time. Look at events and activity, which were important for artists to explore.

One of the things artists were interested in was nature and where the earth existed in the larger context. Science therefore was important. Pre-existing artistic archetypes from the classicism period that dominated visual arts for centuries were secondary to the ideals of Romanticism. It was time for new inspiration.

As you investigate, remember that any artwork made today is considered contemporary and modern.

EXHIBITION THEME & PROMPT

Modern Romanticism

The theme of this exhibit is to explore subjects and techniques that are important and define the Romantic artist of the past and overlay that with subjects of today. Some important artists from this timeframe were: Francisco Goya, William Blake, John Constable, Eugène Delacroix, J.M.W Turner, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Caspar David Friedrich, Ivan Aivazovsky, Henry Fuseli, Théodore Géricault, and Albert Bierstadt.

Some of the subjects and therefore deeper ideas they would explore would be the idea of freedom from artificial rules about art; the work should flow freely from the artist’s imagination. Artwork would be important if it was expressive of the artist’s feelings and ideas about a subject and therefore thought to be creative. Some Romantic Artists were against organized religion such as Christianity and the Catholic Church, therefore symbolism, mystical and supernatural subjects were free to explore. Allegory was part of this exploration, especially during the widespread spiritual revival in Europe. Using realism in showing human psychological and physical trauma, in that it was almost a scientific exploration of things never explored before in art, was a later subject of some artists.  Other topics of the artwork would include the ideas on philosophy and politics of the day. The landscape and seascape were explored by several of the Romantics as it was part of the study and appreciation of the unpredictability of nature.

Color and movement in the development of an image were more important than the clear outline or ideal classical figures evoked. Expressive brush strokes were also part of some of the Romantic visual approaches to showing the emotion and movement of the subjects along with the optical effects color could bring. Finding the expressive and dramatic aspects color could bring was an exciting investigation for some of the Romantics. Some artists developed images where distortions of form and space.

All of these explorations and changes led future artists to other genres and movements in art such as impressionism, cubism, and neoclassicism.

When thinking of the content of your artwork, it must be appropriate for public audiences of all ages. Exhibitions containing graphic depictions of violence, sexually explicit imagery, and/or nudity are discouraged.

 ELIGIBILITY

Artists aged 18 and above can apply to be part of this exhibit. The curators will look for artwork that is technically strong and well-designed. Quality considered, artists should put thought into the craftsmanship and the artwork must be presented in a way to shows the artist’s thought about the artwork being a presentation for an audience.

If art is on paper, artwork should be mounted and backed with a protective board/barrier and framed. Paintings do not need to be framed, unless, the sides of the canvas are messy and will not be cleaned up for display. Museum-wrapped/painted paintings can be unframed. No original paintings printed on canvas or paper are accepted. Plexiglas is suggested over glass, especially if the artwork is over 24” x 30” because the weight may be too heavy for the frame and/or hanger on the artwork. Metal frames are not suggested with real glass unless the artwork is well under 22” x 30”. Artwork must have a way for installers to hang. Either D-rings with wire strung or sawtooth hangers can be used on lightweight artwork.

Sculptural work must be finished in a way where artwork is contained and parts will not break off from the main structure. The weight should not exceed 60 lbs, and the size of sculptural work should not go back 16” x 16” x 27”. Artwork must fit through a single standard doorway.

TO APPLY

Click the link to complete the Call to Artists – Modern Romanticism Exhibition application.

SELECTION

A team of professional artists will curate the exhibition.

GALLERY INFORMATION

Charleston Heights Art Center Gallery

800 S. Brush St.

Las Vegas, NV 89107

702-229-6383

SCHEDULE

Call to Artist Opens     08/29/2023

Call to Artist Closes    10/03/2023

Notifications Issued    10/06/2023

Drop-off Artwork        10/10/2023, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. PT

Artist Reception          10/13/2023 at 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. PT

Exhibition Dates          10/13/2023 – 01/13/2024

Pick-up Artwork          01/15/2024, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. PT

Please feel free to email if you have any questions:

Jeanne Voltura
Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Email: PRCGalleries@lasvegasnevada.gov