The District of Columbia Arts Center Announces ​​1460 Wallmountables 2016 Call for Entries

.

Installation: Wednesday, July 13 from 3pm to 8pm
Thursday, July 14 from 3pm to 8pm
Friday, July 15 from 3pm to 6pm

Opening Reception: Friday, July 15 from 7pm to 9pm

.

The District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC) announces the return of 1460 Wallmountables, DCAC’s annual open exhibition. On Wednesday, July 13, DCAC will open its doors at 3 pm, beginning a three-day installation process during which artists can purchase up to five 2′ x 2′ spaces to hang their work.

Spaces sell on a first-come, first-served basis for $15 per square, with DCAC members receiving one free space and brand new members receiving four spaces for their membership fee of $30. Work is accepted from a wide range of media created by artists at various stages in their careers. There is no curating; if it fits, it shows. To sweeten the deal, a $100 “Best Use of Space” prize is presented during the opening reception to the artist who makes the most innovative use of their 2’ x 2’ squares. Since the first Wallmountables in 1990, the exhibition has become a celebrated summer tradition at DCAC as one of the center’s most important fundraising events.

DCAC is a 27-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting budding artists in the Washington, D.C. area. Our 750 square foot gallery and 50 seat theatre provides a professional venue for both visual and theatre artists. They also provide a structured program through which artists in all media can practice both the craft and the business of art. Today, DCAC is one of the only grassroots organizations available to artists looking to break into the mainstream. Just as artists have come to depend on their support, so too has the community come to associate DCAC with outstanding and original artistic expression.

General Regulations for 1460 Wallmountables:

• Each 2′ x 2′ space is $15 for non-members (maximum 5)
• DCAC members receive 1 free space. Additional spaces are available for $10 (maximum 5)
• Become a DCAC member at the event and receive three free spaces for a total of 4 (regular membership starts at $30)
• Each artist can purchase up to five spaces.
• Each piece must be 2′ x 2′ or smaller. Spaces may not be combined to accommodate larger pieces (larger pieces can be divided and placed in adjacent squares)
• All art must be wall mountable.
• No painting or writing directly onto the wall
• No adhesive materials can be used for hanging (i.e. spray mount, adhesive Velcro, 2-sided tape or wallpaper glue)
• Artists must bring their own materials for hanging their work (hammer, nails etc.)

Since 1989 1460 Wallmountables has offered the opportunity for artists of all disciplines and abilities to show in this open hanging. DCAC divides their wall space into 2 foot by 2 foot squares with strings, which creates a floor to ceiling grid on which artists hang their work. The work must fit into the space, and while artists can acquire more than one space, the work may not overlap the squares. The result is a most remarkable salon-style show that despite its diversity has a distinct rhythm. On the last day of hanging, the strings come down, clean up the gallery, and have one of the most populated openings in town.

Each summer over 100 artists from across the city participate in 1460 Wallmountables, presenting over 300 artworks on practically every inch of the gallery. They receive calls and emails about the exhibit all through the year and there are many people who work on 2 foot by 2 foot canvases just to fit in the show. On the opening day of hanging it is not unusual to have as many as 40 artists standing in line waiting to get registered and select the best spaces. There will be work by children, the elderly, professionals, amateurs, and students alike. It is by far one of the most diverse exhibitions in Washington and it stays up all summer long, allowing these artists to bring their friends and families by a professional gallery to see their work and see whether it has sold.

Artists can purchase up to five 2’x2’ spaces to hang their art work. Spaces sell on a first-come, first-served basis for $15 per square, with DCAC members receiving one free space and brand new members receiving four spaces for their membership fee of $30. Returning participants often line up outside DCAC’s door and patiently wait for installation to begin with an eye towards grabbing the gallery’s prime wall space. Work is accepted from a wide range of media created by artists at various stages in their careers. There is no curating; if it fits, it shows.

Each year five judges roam the opening night with an eye towards finding the artist who made the most innovative use of the limited space. The winner receives a $100, “Best Use of Space,” prize which is presented during the opening reception.

Gallery Hours:

• Wednesdays – Sundays: 2pm to 7 pm

All events are free and open to the public and are at DC Arts Center (DCAC), 2438 18th Street NW. For more information call 202-462- 7833, email info@dcartscenter.org, or visit www.dcartscenter.org.