Gallery19 announces a call for entries for our Second annual juried competition, Meed2: New Abstraction. Photographers at all experience levels are invited to submit work. Artists selected as finalists will have their work exhibited (and available for purchase*) at Gallery19 for the month of July 2018. ** As competition judge, Juan Fernandez, artist and educator, will review all entries, select finalists, and announce the winner at an opening reception at Gallery19, on July 20th, 2018.

THEME: New Abstraction
Photography whether manipulated by hand, by computer, or physically exchanged, the image combines a function—an act of representation—with a use and history that constructs how that image communicates. Meed2: New Abstraction, looks at the materiality of film by exploring the nature of experimental photography. Through the practices of Pictorialism, Dadaism and Surrealist montage, Gallery19 and Juror Juan Fernandez explores the idea of new abstraction as it has reappeared in response to digital photography.

ENTRY FEE:
$45 for submission of 5 jpgs. Payment must be in US dollars. Entry fees are non-refundable. Submission of artists’ statements and bio required. To apply follow the link:

THE PAYOFF:
The winner of Gallery19 Meed2 will receive a solo show at Gallery19 for the month of August, 2019. The winner will also have a one-year contract with Gallery19, which includes exposure on the gallery’s website, ongoing multi-media, promotion, including social media, participation in gallery programming (openings, events, artist talks, etc.), and direct sales efforts. In addition, Juan Fernandez will mentor the winner for a full year August 4 2017 through August 3rd 2018, by reviewing and evaluating work product, and assisting in development of a gallery-ready exhibition, all culminating in the inaugural Gallery19 Meed1 exhibition.

JUDGE:
We are honored to have JUAN FERNANDEZ preside over the 2018-19 Gallery19 Meed2 competition. Juan Fernandez (b. 1980, Grand Rapids, MI) is an artist and educator based in Elgin, IL. He currently sits on the Aurora Public Arts Commission and has taught at various colleges and universities including Northern Illinois University, Elgin Community College, Grand Rapids Community College and Judson University. His work references the perceptions of form, structure, and order in common materials and subject matter. He earned a BFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago and an MFA from Northern Illinois University. Collections holding Juan’s photography include Rockford Art Museum, The Center for Photography at Woodstock, Museum of Contemporary Photography, and Columbia College Chicago.

DEADLINES:
Deadline for initial submissions: June 26th, 2018