ABOUT THE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Charlottesville Black Arts Collective through McGuffey Art Center is excited to announce a call for artists for an exhibition, Lay My Burdens Down, to take place at McGuffey Art Center in February 2022. The goal of this exhibition is to take viewers through a journey focusing on their interpretation of what it means to "Lay My Burdens Down" through various artistic mediums including visual art, performance art, and music.

Self-identified Black artists residing in the State of Virginia are eligible to apply. There is not an application fee to submit for this exhibition and all themed work(s) must be completed prior to submitting this application.

Selected completed work(s) will need to be submitted to McGuffey Art Center by Jan 30, 2022 READY for installation (hanging hardware attached).  

Artists are permitted to sell their work as part of this exhibition.  All sales of any work as a part of this show will be handled by McGuffey Art Center and a standard commission fee of 10% will be applied. 

The deadline to apply is Sunday, November 14, 2021 and selected artists will be contacted by December 15, 2021.

THEME

The theme for this exhibition is inspired by our people’s collective need for rest and the popular hymn, “Down By The Riverside”:

"I'm gonna lay down my burden, down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I'm gonna lay down my burden, down by the riverside
I'm gonna study war no more"

"How can we access pleasure & joy & liberation if we're too tired to experience it?" - Tricia Hershey, founder of the @thenapministry Instagram account.

ELIGIBILITY

With this theme in mind, we invite self-identifying Black artists in Virginia to submit completed works on their interpretation of what it means to "Lay My Burdens Down." All mediums will be considered: visual arts (including photography & film), performance arts, musicians, etc.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit an application online HERE.

Artists are invited to submit up to 3 completed works for consideration based on the theme. For this online application, you will be required to submit the following: 

1. Contact information

2. A photo of each piece you are submitting (up to 3). 

3. A brief statement regarding your interest in participation in this exhibition -- Please also use this space as an opportunity to share or include any additional details you would like us to know regarding your inspiration as an artist, your body of work, or your ideas / thoughts on the pieces(s) you've made for this show.

CURATION COMMITTEE: Charlottesville Black Arts Collective (CBAC)

This year’s curation committee for Lay My Burdens Down is comprised of 4 talented artists in the Charlottesville community: Benita Mayo (writer + photographer), Derrick Waller (painter + photographer), Kori Price (writer + photographer), and Tobiah Mundt (fiber artist).

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about the application process, please reach out to the Charlottesville Black Arts Collective at cvilleblackartscollective@gmail.com.