Call for Entry
COLOR POP! 💥
A national juried exhibition of Utilitarian works
that utilize color theory to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions
juried by Didem mert
March 16 - April 27, 2024
Call opens September 1, 2023
Deadline for Entry: December 5, 2023
CALL FOR ENTRY
Saratoga Clay Art Center’s national juried exhibition COLOR POP!💥, curated by California potter and artist Didem Mert, seeks functional or vessel oriented ceramic works that utilize color theory to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Whether used to enhance style, a sense of playfulness, or increase depth and contrast, color is a powerful tool in a ceramic artist’s toolbox. Didem Mert states “Color is everything and more is more! Whether color is explored through the clay body or on the surface, color enriches the message of our work by adding layers of meaning, visual interest and vibrance. This exhibition will focus on how we use color to enhance the functional object – to catch our attention, add texture, articulate thoughts, and convey storytelling. How does color impact our lives? What meanings can color bring to our work? This exhibition seeks submissions that utilize and celebrate the possibilities of color through functional or vessel orientated ceramic works.”
JUROR
Didem Mert (she/they) was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. Mert received their BFA (ceramics) from Northern Kentucky University in 2014 and MFA (ceramics) from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2017. Mert has exhibited nationally in places such as The Clay Studio, Companion Gallery, Charlie Cummings Gallery, AKAR, The Erie Art Museum, and over forty other venues. Didem’s work was published in Ceramics Monthly’s 2014 Undergraduate Showcase. Mert was awarded a first prize grant through the Three Arts Foundation in 2014. They were featured on the cover of Pottery Making Illustrated’s January/February 2016 issue. Mert was included on C File’s list of 15 Potters to Watch in 2016 and was featured on Architectural Digest’s 10 Ceramic Artists Giving Pottery A Modern Update. Mert led a residency at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts during the summer of 2017. They were honored as one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists of 2018. Mert was a summer resident at the Archie Bray Foundation in 2018. Didem currently lives between Sebastopol, CA and works as a full-time studio potter and workshop instructor.
ELIGIBILITY COLOR POP!💥 is open to all artists over 18 residing within the United States and Canada. Works must be primarily ceramic.
FEES $35 per entry (for up to 3 works)
PRIZES There are two monetary prizes. Juror's Choice ($300) and Director's Choice ($100). Winners will be chosen and revealed at the opening reception and on social media.
ENTRY PROCEDURES Applications will be accepted online only; www.callforentry.com Submission begins September 1, 2023 and ends December 5, 2023.
Applicants are asked to provide a biography, artist statement, and for each work, title, description (medium/process), and dimensions.
NOTIFICATION will be sent through callforentry.com after January 5, 2024. Accepted artists will also receive follow up communication from leigh@saratogaclayarts.org after acceptance letters have been emailed from Café.
SHIPPING Artists are responsible for shipping or delivery of their work to Saratoga Clay Arts Center and for ensuring that their works are packed to safely travel to and from the gallery. Saratoga Clay Arts Center will pay for return shipping if the piece is not sold. Shipped/delivered work will be sent to: Saratoga Clay Arts Center, 167 Hayes Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Works that are dropped off must be picked up.
INSURANCE SCAC will provide insurance coverage of work while on their premises for market value as confirmed by SCAC or for the amount available. Artists will be responsible for insurance of work in transit to SCAC.
SALES All works must be available for sale. Using the images that were submitted with the application, SCAC will create a digital catalog and make the works available for sale online for the duration of the exhibition via their website. A 50% commission will be retained by SCAC. Checks for works sold will be mailed before the end of May 2024.
PHOTOGRAPHY Participating artists must agree to allow SCAC and gallery visitors to photograph work while on display for educational and publicity purposes. Images of accepted works will be retained by SCAC for promotional purposes, posting on the SCAC website and sharing with media related publications.