Call to Artists Low Fidelity Photograhy Durango Colorado

 Click Here for Prospectus http://www.toyedwithphoto.com/

Low-fidelity can include shooting with toy cameras, pinholes, handmade lenses, lensless, scanograms, etc. Alternative processes can include cyanotype, platinum palladium, ziatype, gum bichromate, wet plate collodion, ambrotype, and more.

August 27 – October 1, 2011
hosted by Open Shutter Gallery in Durango, Colorado
Michelle Bates, juror and workshop presenter

Eligibility
This competition is open to all artists creating low-fidelity and/or alternative process photographs. Works must be original, created within the last two years and may not have been shown previously at Open Shutter Gallery. All works must be framed, ready to hang, and for sale.

Entries
Artists are encouraged to submit as many entries as they wish. Nonrefundable entry fees: 1–3 entries: $25, each additional entry is $5 each.
Please email .jpg entries no larger than 1MB each to submissions@toyedwithphoto.com by July 8th. Files must be titled: LastName_FirstName_Title.jpg. Provide the following information for each submission in a separate Word .doc: Artist Name, City & state of artist, e-mail address, shipping address, Title, type of toy camera or device used for image capture, alternative or experimental print process used to print image, framed dimensions in inches, and price.

Pay via paypal using heather@heatherleavitt.com as the payee. Be sure to include the paypal transaction # in your submission email. Or you may send a check to P.O. Box 3042, Durango, CO 81302, Attn: Toyed With. Artists will be notified via email by July 23.

Exhibition & Sales
Accepted works will be on display August 27 – October 1 in the Red Room at Open Shutter Gallery (www.openshuttergallery.com) and online at www.toyedwithphoto.com. A reception will be held during the Durango Showcase for the Arts Gallery Walk, Friday, September 9th. Artwork must be received via carrier on August 24th or 25th (plan your shipping accordingly). Hand delivered works will be accepted Thursday, August 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Works must be framed and ready to hang in accordance to the gallery’s hanging system. Eye screws or wire loops at the side of each piece are required. A 50% commission will be retained on all artwork sold during the exhibition. Works should be priced accordingly and may not be changed after submission. Selected artists are encouraged to mat works in white and frame with black and asked to send a one page artist statement.

Juror
Michelle Bates has been a passionate photographer since she was young, and learned her way around a camera in 1991 at the Maine Photographic Workshops, where she first discovered the Holga. Since then, Michelle has shown work in solo exhibitions in the Pacific Northwest, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Israel; and in group shows internationally. She has photographed for weekly newspapers, album covers, performers, artists, and many others. Michelle loves teaching, and has given lectures on plastic and toy cameras to groups all over the US, including the Society for Photographic Education, SF Camerawork, Powell’s Books, and the Creative Center for Photography. She teaches at the Photographic Center Northwest, Newspace (PDX), and photo schools and centers nationwide. Her book, Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity was published in 2006 by Focal Press and the second edition in October 2010, and was called the “complete and essential reference for plastic-camera shooters” by American Photo. Michelle is a member of Freestyle Photographic Supply’s Advisory Board of Photographic Professionals.

Michelle lives in Seattle, and also frequents Vashon Island, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and New York. She loves to road trip and fly away with her Holgas whenever possible.

To view her work or learn more about the workshops she offers, visit: www.michellebates.net.

Awards
Awards will be chosen from actual works by the juror. Winners will be notified at the show’s close.

Agreement
Submission to this competition constitutes an agreement on the part of the entrant to the conditions set forth. Artist allows all accepted submissions to be photographed and used for marketing and promotion. Artist pays for shipping to and from exhibition. Toyed With and Open Shutter Gallery reserves the right to final curatorial, educational, installation, and marketing decisions. Entries that do not meet competition guidelines may be disqualified. Open Shutter Gallery provides insurance for artworks while on premises and is not responsible for damage or loss during transport.

Timeline

Friday, July 8
Digital submissions due

Saturday, July 23
Artists notified via email

Monday, August 1
Early reservation for Michelle’s workshop

Wednesday & Thursday, August 24 & 25
Artwork due via shipping carrier

Thursday, August 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Hand-deliver accepted artwork

August 27–October 1
Show Dates

Friday, September 9, 5–9 p.m.
Gallery Walk

September 9-25
Durango Showcase of the Arts

Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18
Workshop with Michelle Bates

Monday, October 3
Artwork packed and returned to artists
or may be picked up 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Workshops
Juror, Michelle Bates will be offering a two-day workshop covering toy cameras with special focus on Holga cameras, hacks, films, accessories, etc. Participants will have an opportunity for two photoshoots, one outdoor, and one in studio covering off camera lighting, Holga lenses for digital cameras, and Polgaroids. Students are asked to bring or borrow a Holga. Dates: Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18. Cost: $225, includes lunch, film, and processing. Space is limited. Receive $25 off if reserved by August 1.

Show founder, Heather Leavitt Martinez offers private lessons in alternative photography and will be teaching botanical cyanotype workshops June 4, 11 & 25 at www.willowtailsprings.com.

For more information contact submissions@toyedwithphoto.com.

Thanks to our sponsors
Open Shutter Gallery
Arts Perspective magazine
Holga
Maria's Bookshop