Feb 24, 2008 Call for Entries - 26th Ellarslie Open

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ELLARSLIE OPEN AND THE BEN WHITMIRE PURCHASE AWARD
As the museum’s first director, Ben Whitmire both expanded and accessioned work to the collection. To focus on the local art influences, he immediately started the contemporary exhibitions and in 1982, because of a suggestion from Mary Yess, Ben started the Ellarslie Open.
Since that time, the Museum Society has had a minimum of five contemporary exhibits yearly, featuring nearly five hundred local and regional artists.
The Ellarslie Open has become a significant regional exhibition, while realizing the importance and potential of emerging artists. In 2002, the Acquisitions Committee of the Trenton Museum Society began to cull the work in the Ellarslie Open as their primary source of contemporary purchases for the museum.
In 2003 Ben left us. While his wit and wisdom are greatly missed, his legacy is evident in the continued success of Ellarslie as a focal point of the city’s burgeoning and nurturing arts community. In 2004, the twenty-second year of the Ellarslie Open, the Trenton Museum Society was proud to honor this man and his legacy by instituting the Ben Whitmire Purchase Award for the permanent collection of the museum.

JUROR
BRUCE KATSIFF, Director and CEO of the James A. Michener Art Museum since 1990, graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1968, earned his M.F.A. from Pratt Institute in 1973, and took seminars at Oxford University in 1985 and 1987. Previously the Chair for the Art and Music Department, Bucks County Community College, Mr. Katsiff has been involved in all aspects of the art world since 1970. He is also accredited with the National Association Schools of Art and Design, has established programs in Woodworking, Computer Graphics, and Glassblowing at Bucks County Community College and has been a Professor of Fine Art for over thirty years. He recently directed the development of the new Michener Art Museum Satellite in New Hope, the Patricia Pfundt Sculpture Garden, and the Mari Sabasawa Michener Wing. We welcome Mr. Katsiff to the list of outstanding jurors for the Ellarslie Open at the Trenton City Museum.

ELIGIBILITY
Open to all artists eighteen years of age or older and for works created AFTER MARCH 2006, that have not been exhibited previously at the Trenton City Museum. All media may be entered. All accepted work must be suitably framed and ready to hang. Neither the height nor the width of wall pieces may exceed 90 inches. Taped framing or framing with clips or brackets, is not acceptable. All works on paper must be under glass or Plexiglas. All three-dimensional work must be maneuverable by two people, with bases provided by the artist. The museum reserves the right to disqualify any entry that is deemed poorly matted, is not presented professionally, is too fragile or imposes site specific or special handling requirements.

ENTRY FEE
A nonrefundable check or money order made out to The Trenton Museum Society/Ellarslie Open must accompany art work and entry form. The fee schedule is as follows: $20.00 for the first entry, $15.00 for each additional entry. Artsbridge, Artworks, Trenton Museum Society, TAWA members, and students with college I.D. receive $5.00 off of first entry.

ENTRY PROCEDURE
The jury will consider a maximum of two entries per medium from each artist. Label each work with title, medium, sale price and insurance value, height and width. If the work is not for sale, please indicate “NFS” on the registration form and indicate on a separate piece of paper whether “From the collection of...” should follow with any names. Also, please submit a quality reproducible copy of your bio with your entry.

RESULTS, RECEPTION, AWARDS AND SALES
A list of accepted works for the Ellarslie Open XXVI and the Salon des Refusés will be posted on the Trenton City Museum website, www.ellarslie.org, April 4, 2008 after 6 p.m. The Trenton Museum Society will host an opening reception on Saturday, April 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. The awards will be presented at the opening reception. The Trenton Museum Society will take a 30 percent commission on all sales of artwork comprising the exhibition or the Salon des Refusés.

CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT
Work submitted to The Trenton City Museum must be available for the duration of the exhibit and will not be removed for any reason until June 24, 2008. The Trenton City Museum reserves the right to reproduce exhibition entries for publicity purposes. The museum will not be responsible for work remaining after the specified pick-up date. Submission of entries will constitute agreement to the conditions set forth in this prospectus.

CALENDAR

Click here to open the entry form