“MINDFULNESS IN MAY” 2024 FOREST, SEA & SELF

Artist Diane Moran has partnered with The Qualicum Beach Rotary Club, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library for a youth exhibition of visual, photography and literary art created by students in grades 5-12 that will run April 30th - May 11th, 2024. The exhibition is open to all students registered in School District 69 and to students residing in the communities served by SD69 (who are registered in a Home Learning Program. The exhibition works will be available for viewing and on display at Qualicum Beach Public Library and online https://mindfulmay.artistquarter.com/ 

All submissions will be featured in the exhibition.

SHOW OBJECTIVE

The exhibition is taking place during BC Youth Week and during National Mental Health Week, so we have chosen “FOREST, SEA & SELF” as the topic for this year. We encourage students to explore what FOREST, SEA & SELF means to them in their own lives and in their own language. We believe the resulting exhibition will be a great success and create powerful conversations and thought-provoking art around the subject.

Below are some potential interpretations of the theme (artists are encouraged to come up with their own interpretations too):

Who benefits from our Forest or Sea

Where is your favorite place when you visit the Forest or Sea?

What does the Forest or Sea feel or look like?

What can the Forest or Sea offer you?

What can the Forest or Sea offer to others?

What would you like to share about Self?

How can you nurture Self?

EXHIBIT CATEGORIES

Students are invited to submit ONE piece in one or each category.

Category 1: Visual Art/ Media

• 2D Art - Includes all media on board, canvas or paper (excluding Photography - see below).

• 3D Art - Three dimensional, functional or sculptural work of any material(s).

• Fiber Art - Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable work etc. where the primary material is fiber.

• Photography - Either Traditional Print or Digital Print. Images that have been altered via digital software or other means must state “creatively altered and artists must advise how their artwork was altered, i.e. whether digitally altered, used as a base/foundation, etc.”. Artists may only alter their own original photographs.

• Computer-generated artwork is acceptable but must be entirely original and/or created from the artist’s original work.

• With respect towards the cultural rights of Indigenous Peoples, it is requested that artists' work be culturally appropriate in its content, and that artists are authorized to use and can provide proof of permission, if they have used Indigenous motifs/designs in their work.
• Maximum size for submissions is 11” x 17” (28 cm x 43 cm) except paintings which must be no larger than 20” x 24” (50 cm x 60 cm).

Category 3 – Literary Art, Poetry, Short Story

Writers should draw inspiration from what "FOREST, SEA & SELF" means to them in the form of one of the following:

• Fiction or Nonfiction Story (250-500 words)

• Poetry (one page)

Literary Art submissions must be double-spaced. Please include your full name, email address, and phone number in the top right-hand corner of the page. Take a picture of your work to submit to https://mindfulmay.artistquarter.com/ or send your submission directly to (emailed with title and Writers Name in the Subject line) moraninthemoon@gmail.com

AWARDS

Awards will be given to the 3 top outstanding Visual Art submissions, to 1 top Photography and to 1 top Literary Art submission in each Division (Division 1: Grades 5-8, Division 2: Grades 9-12) and selected by a jury. A People’s Choice Award will be chosen among submissions in the 3 categories combined during the (12) day exhibition.

Prizes Available (per Division) Jr. Grades 5-8 Sr. Grades 9-12

• Visual Art Submissions: 1st - $150, 2nd - $100, 3rd - $75

• Photography Submission $50

• Literary Art Submission: $50 

• People’s Choice Award: $75.00

All exhibitors will receive Certificates for Participation. Winners will be announced at the Artist Reception Thursday, May 2nd 2024, 6pm-8pm

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted online at mindfulmay.artistquarter.com/submissions. Deadline to apply is April 2nd, 2024 *EARLY BIRD Submissions by March 13th, 2024 are entered in a special draw and works could be featured in the Exhibition Posters and press publications.

Participating artists will be contacted by a curator with follow up regarding any additional informational details.

Curators:

• Diane Moran (local artist)

• Gonda Lekx (Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach)

For questions and inquiries please contact Diane Moran at moraninthemoon@gmail.com or phone 778-869-8964

GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Exhibition Location: The exhibition will be hosted at Qualicum Beach Public Library, 606 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach BC V9K-2R5

2. Who can Apply: The exhibition/event is open to students in grades 5-8 and grades 9-12 who are registered in School District 69 (communities from Deep Bay through to Nanoose Bay) and to students who are registered in a Home Learning Program in SD69.

3. Fees: There are no fees associated with this exhibition/contest

3. Original Artwork: Students must be submitting their own original artwork and must ensure that their work does not infringe on any copyright. Artwork derived from the work of another artist is not permissible, unless it can be considered “transformative” - demonstrating a significant creative departure from the original (i.e.: new expression, meaning or message)

All artists should familiarize themselves with copyright laws and the concepts of derivative and transformative art. If you are unsure whether or not your work would be eligible, please email Diane Moran well in advance of the submission deadline. We retain the right to remove any artwork from adjudication that may contravene copyright laws.

3. Images: Digital images of works must be submitted online at https://mindfulmay.artistquarter.com/ by the prescribed date and must all be in JPEG or PNG format and of highest image quality possible. Please save images as Artist Last Name, First Name and Title of Piece e.g. Smith John “The Three”. If the image submitted is a misrepresentation of the actual artwork received for display, it may be refused.

By submitting an image to the exhibition process, you are committing to deliver the artwork.

Display: All Visual Art (Category 1) works must be delivered to the exhibition location. 2D Art and Photography submissions must be framed or mounted on mat board or construction paper with a maximum border of 2 cm.

Printed copies of Literary Art (Category 2) works must be printed on plain white 20lb. paper, single-sided and delivered to the exhibition by the prescribed date. Please do not staple or hole-punch pages.

Late submissions or substitute works will not be included in the exhibition.

7. Other Information to Include with Submissions:

• Artist’s full name, email address, phone number, school, grade, and age.

• Title of Artwork and Media

• Measurements of the artwork in inches, in two or three dimensions, as appropriate.

• An artist statement of up to 75 words about the piece that includes information about the creative process, technique, inspiration, background, etc.

IMPORTANT DATES

April 2nd: FINAL DEADLINE. All submissions must be in on or before. Artists will be contacted via email and provided with information

April 5th: Curators are to have all images (high res) and artist statements collected and submitted for promotional use.

April 26th or 27th: Delivery of your submitted Artwork to Qualicum Beach Public Library, 606 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach

April 29th: Installation of Artworks, 10am-3pm.

April 30th: Exhibition opens to public (Library hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm))

May 2nd (6pm-7.30pm): Official Opening & Artist Reception *Award recipients announced*

May 11th: Last day for the exhibit. Curators will be in attendance to take down the Artwork and Students need to PICK UP their items 4.30pm-5.00pm