Description

Artwork Submission here: https://forms.gle/rT2iajrXpKBmWm8d8

Submission Cost: $25 per artwork

Currated by: Svetlana Askenazy

Exhibition Dates: Jan 30 - Feb 15, 2025
Location: Saint Marks Arts, 4 Saint Marks Place, East Village, NYC

Meditations in Blue invites artists to immerse themselves in the evocative and timeless allure of the color blue. This group show seeks to capture the essence of meditation as a practice and a state of being, drawing on influences from Buddhist art, Taoism, and yoga. Blue has long been associated with calmness, introspection, and spiritual depth, making it a fitting vehicle for exploring the themes of mindfulness and inner peace. From the serene hues of Buddhist mandalas to the fluidity of Taoist ink washes, artists have historically embraced blue as a means of conveying both the ethereal and the profound.

The show also seeks to honor the lineage of meditation in art. Throughout history, art has served as a meditative act for creators and an invitation to contemplation for viewers. Abstract expressionists, minimalist painters, and spiritual visionaries have often used form, texture, and color as a way to explore the uncharted realms of the subconscious. Similarly, blue's universal resonance—whether as the color of the sky, water, or the infinite—offers a powerful starting point for works that meditate on themes of existence, harmony, and interconnectedness. By referencing the traditions of yoga, with its focus on breath and presence, and Taoist philosophies that emphasize the flow of energy and balance, Meditations in Blue challenges artists to reflect these influences in their work.

Artists are encouraged to consider how their own practices can engage with the meditative and transcendental. What does the act of creation feel like when viewed as a meditative process? How can the interplay of blue tones evoke states of quietude, reflection, or dynamic movement? Whether through abstract compositions, figurative works, or experimental media, this exhibition is a chance to explore the power of blue as both subject and symbol. As you prepare your submissions, let the history of meditation in art and the philosophies of presence guide your creative process.

Open Call to Artists
We invite emerging and established artists to submit works in any medium, including:
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Digital Art
• Video/Projection
• Mixed Media
• Performance Art

All submissions should align with the exhibition’s theme of envisioning the future.

Details and How to Apply
• Deadline for Submissions: Jan 22, 2025
• Accepted Media: All media types are welcome.
• Application Fee: $25 per submission
• Submission Requirements:
• Artist Statement (keep it short - 500 words max)
• High-resolution images of the work(s) Title format for images: Name_Title_Year, Dimensions (BillBurns_Future_2024_54x54)
• Artwork description, including dimensions, materials, and year of creation
• Opening Reception: Jan 30, 6pm - 8pm
• Only submit work that is available for the entire duration of the exhibition.
• No artwork can be withdrawn before the show closes.
• No price changes will be allowed after submission.
• If the final work does not match the submitted images, Saint Marks Arts reserves the right to exclude it from the exhibition.
• Saint Marks Arts reserves the right to exclude work that arrives in poor condition or is too fragile for display.
• Priority consideration will be given to members of Saint Marks Arts. If you’re not yet a member, we encourage you to join for $50 to receive priority consideration and exclusive benefits for future exhibitions. Become a member at www.saintmarksarts.com.

Artwork Delivery and Collection Details
• In-person Drop-off Times @ 4 Saint Marks Plc:
~ Sat, Jan 25 , 4 PM – 7 PM
~ Tues, Jan 28 1 PM – 2 PM
• All artwork must be received by Tues, Jan 28.
• Pick-up: Sat, Feb 15, 4 PM – 8 PM
• Artwork must be picked up by the end of the day on Feb 15,. Saint Marks Arts is not responsible for the shipping of unsold work.
• Artwork not collected by Feb 15, will incur a storage fee.

Liability
Artists are responsible for taking out insurance policies on their own artwork while it is displayed at Saint Marks Arts. The Collective cannot be held liable for any damage, loss, or theft of the artwork.

Indemnification Clause
By submitting artwork to Saint Marks Arts for the exhibition, the artist agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Saint Marks Arts, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney fees) arising out of or in connection with the exhibition of the artist's work. This includes, but is not limited to, claims related to copyright infringement, bodily injury, or property damage. The artist acknowledges and agrees that Saint Marks Arts is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of any artwork, and it is the artist's responsibility to secure appropriate insurance coverage for their artwork while it is displayed at Saint Marks Arts.

We look forward to seeing your submissions and showcasing the best of street art in a gallery setting!

Collective Responsibilities

• We will provide the large gallery space at 4 Saint Marks Place for the exhibition.
• We will create an info sheet & price list
• We will create instagram posts and have an email marketing campaign to promote the show.
• We will handle all sales, retaining a commission of 30% as agreed for in gallery purchase
• We will use best efforts via in person contact to sell your artwork!
• For sales represented by Artsy, artist will receive 50% of the sale price

Questions/Comments info@saintmarksart.com.