Call for Submissions: Environments Public Art Project & Exhibition

Swan Lake II

Call for Submissions: Environments
Public Art Project & Exhibition

Submission Deadline: December 11, 2023

Nature Walk and Artists Circle: November 4, 2023, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Dave Barrow Trail, Oak Ridges Corridor Reserve
Beginning at the Municipal parking lot, Oak Ridges, Richmond Hill

Exhibition Dates: January 16 – January 21, 2024
Opening Reception & Curator Talk: Wednesday January 17, 2024, 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Boynton House Art Space
Richmond Green, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Environments is a community artist project culminating in a curated art exhibition. The walking tour and artist circle will take place on November 4, 2023 allowing artist time to complete work inspired by the group walk through conservation land. York Region is one of the most diverse areas in Canada, with a long history of migration and settlement. We welcome participants, volunteers and art exhibition submissions of original artworks related but not limited to the following topics: land, conservation, Greenbelt, loss, hope, the perception of development, and urban sprawl.

Intended to showcase the culturally rich and artistically diverse vibrant art of the region, the exhibition limits submission to emerging and professional artists who reside or work in York Region. Artworks can include painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, textiles and mixed media. This project will start as a hike and Artist Circle and will culminate in an art exhibition and a limited-edition publication.

Participants and interested artists are encouraged to take part in a walk along the Dave Barrow Trail in the Oak Ridges Corridor Reserve which is part of the Greenbelt. Adults only are invited to participate (18+).

Nature Walk and Artists Circle

Join us on a hike the Dave Barrow Trail as we discuss the exhibition Environments, the project and curatorial inspiration. Several stops will be made to share ideas while we collect, document, photograph and make observations that may be used as inspiration in submitting work for the exhibition.

The nature walk, which is approximately 4 km, is a physically demanding activity which will include uneven ground, undeveloped terrain, and public trails in and out of the Greenbelt forest. Please consider your physical needs for accessibility purposes. All participants are responsible for personal safety. We will meet at the Municipal parking lot in Oak Ridges, Richmond Hill, Ontario (which is on the South side of Bethesda Side Road, East of Bayview Ave) near Lake Wilcox where we will and begin at 1:30 pm sharp.

To participate on the walk, you must have Registered and have appropriate clothes and footwear for the weather conditions. Bring a backpack and sky pole(s) if required. We will begin at Post Marker 37, (Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve map) and finish up at the same location approximately 1.5 hours later. Please try to get dropped off or arrange to carpool as the parking lot gets filled quickly. Art and Audiovisual equipment are recommended. Following the activity, participants are free to continue back in the trail for independent work and research / documentation.

RSVP for the walk by October 26, 2023

Add your Submission Artwork/Details to this Google Form

Submit Your Artwork By: December 11, 2023, 11:55pm EST

Artwork Drop Off: January 15, 2024, 10:00pm – 4:00pm
Artwork Pick Up: January 21, 2024, 10:00am – 5:00pm
*** Artwork must be picked up by the above deadline.***

Submissions and general admission to Boynton House Art Space is Free

About the Curator

Christos Damianos is an independent curator, artist, and educator working between Toronto (Ontario) and Athens (Greece). He is also engaged with various art groups and not-for-profit organizations promoting Arts and Culture. He has participated in several community art projects in the Greater Toronto Area and abroad. He holds an Honors BFA from Western University, BEd and a Masters from Niagara University.

Damianos is a multidisciplinary artist who explores the theme of identity and perception. His studio practice is often autobiographical at its core reflecting on evolving contemporary, social and personal experiences rooted in a stream of consciousness and experimentation of the physicality of the medium. This haptic process of working and the invitation of the viewer to establish a relationship with his work are intimately connected. These sensory experiences can catalyze lost connections, personal memories, life experiences which are often hidden in the simplicity of the medium or unassuming presence of the work.

Submission Guidelines for Selection

Before starting your online application process, please review the full terms of entry:

• Artists must reside within the York Region in Ontario
• Short biography (100 words or less)
• CV/ Resume
• Contact information: email, phone number
• Artists can submit up to 4 images which may be selected for the exhibition. Artworks must be original and created within the last 3 years. Artworks should not exceed size 36×60 inches.
• Name your submission images with your first and last name, followed by the title of work (Eg. Christos Damianos Joy). Submit a work list with: name of work, sizes, date, and medium. Any interest in purchase will be forwarded to the artists. Image files should have a minimum resolution of 72 dpi.
• Only those that have been selected for the exhibition will be contacted. Selected artists will be emailed the week of December 21, 2023 with further information. The curator and team will appraise artworks in accordance with the exhibition theme while looking for creativity that successfully represents the objectives of their exhibition along with technical skill, form and concept.
• If you are accepted, you give the organizers and the City of Richmond Hill the right to publish your images for publicity purposes in current and future promotions.
• The applicant is responsible for receiving permission to share artwork from individuals depicted in said artwork.
• Artwork must arrive with appropriate hardware ready for display. 2-Dimensional work must be framed and ready to hang. Photographs should be professionally mounted and framed. Only Gallery canvas stretcher paintings can be unframed as long as the edges are painted and hanging wire is attached.
• The organizers reserve the right to decline a submission deemed unsuitable or artworks that arrive in unsuitable condition for display in a gallery setting.
• Accepted entries must remain on display until the final day of the exhibition.
• No substitutions – only work that has been submitted and accepted will be included in the exhibition.

Delivery/Drop Off

All drop off arrangements are the responsibility of the artist. Applications are only accepted electronically. Applications sent to the curator’s email address will not be accepted.

Curator: Christos Damianos
Contact Information: christryph@gmail.com

Environments has been supported by The City of Richmond Hill – Community and Cultural Grant Program. We gratefully acknowledge their support.