The Call for Art for the 2023 Art on the Trails outdoor exhibition is open from February 15 to April 15. The exhibition will be installed in the Beals Preserve, Southborough, Massachusetts on Saturday, June 10 and will remain in the Preserve until September 17, 2023. The juror is artist Sarah Alexander.
2023 Theme: Transformation
Merriam Webster dictionary defines transformation as an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed, as to change in composition or structure, in the outward form or appearance of or to change in character or condition.
Artists are being asked to consider what transformation means to them and propose an art installation project that reflects their interpretation. Consider transformation in nature, culture, or art. How might your work transform over time in the environment? Can you engage the visitor in that transformation?
We welcome all interpretations of this concept, in all materials.
Deadline for submissions is Saturday, April 15 at midnight. No extensions will be given. No exceptions.
Guidelines for Submissions
Please consider the following guidelines before submitting a proposal:
- Artists may submit existing work or a proposal for site-specific work.
- There are no buildings, walls, or electrical outlets in the Preserve. All work must be installed in the natural environment.
- Multiple entries are welcome and encouraged. There is a $25 fee for each submission.
- You may identify a location for your work if you chose. The final siting of the work is at the discretion of the juror. View a map of Beals Preserve.
- Tours of the Preserve are available upon request.
- Please indicate if work requires support or suspension in the landscape and your proposed method for achieving this. You may bring in structures or use trees as supports for your installation, as long as it does not harm them in any way. For instance, strapping around trunks or ropes around branches are acceptable. Nails into trees are not acceptable.
- All work will be considered based on quality of materials and ability to implement proposed work.
- This is a Leave No Trace exhibit; from installation to dismantling, nature must be left intact and all materials brought to the site must be removed at the end of the show. No exceptions.
- We actively promote works for sale if applicable. Should your work be sold, the artist agrees to donate 25% to Southborough Open Land Foundation.
- By submitting a proposal, artists acknowledge Southborough Open Land Foundation assumes no liability for artwork on the property during the exhibition.
- The selected artists will be notified by May 1, 2023 via email.
- Fifteen works will be accepted
- Accepted artists will receive a $100 stipend for participating.
- Please contact Catherine Weber, cweber@artonthetrails.com if you have questions.
