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Call for Artists - 2020
The City of Federal Way Arts Commission in partnership with the Rhododendron Species Botanical
Garden (RSBG) and the Pacific Bonsai Museum announces a Call for Artists for the annual event Blue
Poppy Day A Festival of Art and Nature to be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020 from 10:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m. at RSBG. The mission of Blue Poppy Day A Festival of Art and Nature is to celebrate and
feature: artistic talent from Puget Sound region, the connection between the complementary beauty
art and nature, and the bloom of rare Himalayan Blue Poppies at the Rhododendron Species Botanical
Garden.
Selection Process
All applications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel. The Selection Panel is composed of members of
the Federal Way Arts Commission and community volunteers with an interest in the arts. Selection of
artists is based on artistic merit with consideration given to achieving exhibit diversity. Submissions
that include Blue Poppies are strongly encouraged and will be given first consideration.
We are looking for a diverse array of artists in all media, including but not limited to: metal, mixed
media, glass fiber art, ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, wood, drawing/illustrations,
prints, digital art, paintings, and more.
How to Apply
To apply send an email to cody.geddes@cityoffederalway.com that includes the information below.
- A completed Artist Application form (see below)
- An artist biography for potential media release
(not to be used if artist is accepted). 2-5
sentences.
- A brief resume listing professional experience i.e. exhibition
experience (include where and when), residencies, lectures;
honors, awards or grants; visual arts training and/or education
- At least three (3) but no more than five (5)
digital images of work that best illustrates
qualifications (Jpeg files only). File set up should
be 500 pixels on the longest side at 72dpi, 300
KB each (saved)
Prior to the show, the artist must submit a list of art works and their value (see Artist Application). The
Arts Commission reserves the right to suggest or require adjustments to an exhibit after it is in place.
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Vending Information
- Space provided will be no more than 10’ x 10’
- Most exhibit spaces will be outside
- Artist must provide own walls, table(s), chair(s), etc.
Exhibit set-up must be pre-approved
- Location of artist’s display will be determined by the
Arts Commission, RSBG and the Pacific Bonsai Museum
- Artist will receive listing in event program, the RSBG
website, and the City of Federal Way’s website.
-Sales are handled between the artist and the buyer.
Artist must handle their own transactions. Note:
vendors will not have access to electricity during the
event.
-The City of Federal Way, the RSBG, and the Pacific
Bonsai Museum do not provide insurance coverage for
the property and/or artwork of the vendors.
- Artist will sell artwork between 10am and 4pm on
Saturday, May 16, 2020 and keep 100% of their sales.
Acceptance Criteria
- Reproduction aids such as molds
used in ceramics must be created
by the applying artist
- Artist’s work, exhibit design and
application will be juried for
quality, authenticity, uniqueness,
salability, presentation
- Artist must be present with their
work throughout the event
- Artist must be the maker,
designer, creator and producer of
work
- Original work must make up most
of the artist’s display
- Not eligible for entry are mass-
produced items, items made from
kits
- Eligibility is limited to studio
artists, artist teams and
independent artists
-Special consideration given to
artists from Federal Way and art
with a nature/garden connection.
Featured Artist
Each year, a Featured Artist is selected for the following year by visitor votes. The Featured Artist for
2020 is Nirvan Hope. The Featured Artist will receive the following:
Gallery space at Knutzen Family Theatre located at Dumas Bay Centre for approximately 4
months (exhibit date to be mutually agreed upon with artist and Federal Way Arts Commission)
Premier vendor placement at Blue Poppy Day Art in Bloom
Bragging rights as the Featured Artist
Artwork will be used in all promotional collateral for the event including print, social media,
website, etc.
One year Membership to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
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Artist Fee
Selected artists are required to pay a $30 fee to participate in the show (due April 30, 2020), which will
be used for advertising the event. After notification of selection, directions will be provided on where
to send payment.
Artists are encouraged to sell artwork and keep 100% of their sales. Sales are handled between the
artist and the buyer by accepting their preferred method(s) of payment and delivering sold works to
their buyers.
Application Deadline
Applications must be received on or before April 6, 2020 by 4:00 p.m. Unless notified otherwise,
applications after this date will not be considered.
Visit our Facebook event page for event updates!
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Call For Artists 2020
Artist Application Form
Deadline – April 6, 2020 by 4:00 p.m.
To apply send an email with the information below to cody.geddes@cityoffederalway.com
Please submit this Artist Application Form and the following supplemental information:
Brief resume detailing any visual arts training and/or education and exhibition history
An artist biography for potential media release – 2-5 sentences
At least three (3) but no more than five (5) digital images of recent work that best illustrates your
qualifications (Jpeg files only). File set up should be 500 pixels on the longest side at 72 dpi, 300 KB each
(saved).
Selected artists will sign a contract confirming event participation.
Note: Selected artists will pay a $30 f
ee to participate in the show, which will be used for advertising the event.
APPLICATION INFORMATION Please print (all fields required)
Name:
Address:
City & State
Daytime phone:
Evening Phone:
Email:
EXHIBIT/ART INFORMATION Please print
Artwork Title
Medium
Size
Year
Value
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