WHO
Visual artists and artisans in Clark County, working in all media

WHAT
Clark County Open Studios is a juried art event, offering a unique opportunity for you to gain further recognition as an artist, open your studio doors to the public, and show and sell your work. For the community, Open Studios is a free self-guided tour that will enhance awareness of talented local artists while enriching the cultural life of Clark County neighborhoods.

WHEN
November 4-5, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Preview exhibit: First Friday, November 3rd
Art at the CAVE Gallery
108 E. Evergreen Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98660

ARTIST BENEFITS
For insights on how the Open Studios program expands your reach to potential buyers for your work, be sure to read this summary of the program’s impact as reported to the City of Vancouver in our Lodging Tax Grant report.

Here are some of the other ways in which you will benefit from participation in Open Studios:

• Expand your audience by sharing where and how you work.
• Take advantage of an opportunity to sell your work to the public.
  • • All proceeds from studio sales go to the artists unless the gallery contract specifies otherwise.
• Gain exposure through Open Studios’ print, web, and social media marketing—including postcards, local advertising, yard signs, and more.
  • • An artist directory will be printed in a full-color guidebook.
    • An artist directory will be published on the Open Studios website, including up to 5 images, a link to the artist’s website, and contact info.
    • OPB advertising through radio and television sponsorships in the weeks leading up to the event.
• Preview exhibit and artists’ reception featuring one work of art from each participant. The artwork in the preview show will be for sale. Art at the CAVE gallery will receive a 50% commission on sales during the preview. (If this conflicts with your local gallery contract artwork can be marked NFS with courtesy of your local gallery.)
• Networking opportunities, meeting and working with other local artists.
• NEW THIS YEAR! Access to PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS through our partnership with PDXOS Artist Academy.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Open Studios goes beyond a traditional art show in fostering a greater understanding of the artistic process by providing the public with a unique opportunity to enter the world of the visual artist and experience how, why and where art is created. Hear from our participating artists in this follow up article giving deeper insights into both the artists and visitors experience.

The Open Studios tour is designed to support key goals for Clark County’s arts community:

• • • Increase visibility and public awareness of practicing and accomplished creative artists in Clark County.
    • Bring arts education and cultural enrichment to Clark County neighborhoods.
    • Expand opportunity and accessibility for residents of all ages to experience art.
    • Develop the county’s cultural climate, enhance its image, and support growth of the local economy through the arts.

STUDIO ELIGIBILITY
Participating artists MUST have a regular ongoing studio workspace for creating art located within Clark County, Washington.

• Open Studios was created to offer the public an opportunity to be invited into the working spaces of Clark County’s artistic community and to have an authentic experience visiting a working artist. It is not intended for temporary set-ups in businesses or pop-up spaces. Shared studios are only encouraged if it is part of an artist’s normal work routine.
• The studio must retain the atmosphere of an active workspace, with materials, equipment, and work-in-progress visible.
• Artists must agree to not exhibit, sell or host non-participating artists in the space over which they have interest or control.
  • Artists working in cluster studios should encourage their fellow artists to apply for participation in Open Studios.
  • Artists who are not officially participating in Open Studios are asked not to represent themselves in any way as Open Studios artists.

New! CHRISTINE RICE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP for EMERGING ARTISTS
In remembrance of Open Studio Artist Christine Rice, created to support young artists on their career paths. Thank you to her family and friends that made this scholarship possible

• • • • • For emerging artists ages 20-30.
        • Scholarship award in the amount of $500-$1000.
        • Mentorship from seasoned Open Studios Artists.
        • Option to be hosted in another artist’s studio.
        • Award is given on merit and is chosen on the highest jurors’ scores.

ART GUIDELINES
Clark County Open Studios is open to a wide range of visual media including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, wood, metal, glass, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, digital art, and printmaking. Art displayed in Open Studios must adhere to these guidelines:

• • • During Open Studios, participating artists must exhibit a minimum of 15 pieces of original art, created within the last three years.
    • Reproductions are limited to 20% of an artist’s display space and must be clearly labeled as reproductions.

HOW TO APPLY

Your application must be SUBMITTED ONLINE through CaFE administration,  so have your information ready!

• Write a BRIEF artist statement (1,000 character maximum) describing your inspiration and creative process.
• Prepare FIVE DIGITAL IMAGES. Please include FOUR IMAGES OF YOUR ART created in the last three years, and ONE STUDIO IMAGE showing multiple works. This image helps jurors see a perspective of your work.
• Digital format: JPEGs up to 5MB with a minimum of 1920 pixels on the longest side.  Large files allow jurors to zoom in on your image.
• These images will be used for the online and printed guide, marketing, and promotion. If you have participated in the past please make sure you submit new images!
• Fill out and submit the online CaFE application and pay the $25 application fee.

CaFE provides tutorials to help you make a strong application.

CaFE tips on how to write an artist’statement

CaFE tips on telling a story with your images.

How to photograph your 3D artwork.

How to photograph your 2D artwork.

Preparing your images files for upload

JURY PROCESS, ACCEPTANCE, AND PARTICIPATION FEE
Clark County Open Studios Tour will showcase art in a broad range of media and styles. The event contributes to public awareness of the quality and diversity of artists in our community. Participation in Clark County Open Studios is intended for professional artists who are actively producing and exhibiting their work. Application material will not be judged on personal tastes or preferences.

2023 JURORS

Mark Tindle is the newly appointed Portland Art Museum’s Rental Sales Gallery Manager directing a roster of over 250 artists.  Before moving to Portland, Mark worked in the UK in curatorial, collections management, project management, marketing, and museum management.

Mike Baggetta is a contemporary Fine Artist, living in Silverton, Oregon, and has been the Creative Director of Art in the Pearl for over 20 years. Mike studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena CA. His abstract paintings can be found in several galleries around the region as well as notable collections.

Lisa Conway is a Professor of Art and Head of the Ceramics at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. She received her MFA in Ceramics from Louisiana State University and her BFA in Ceramics from the University of Michigan. Her resume includes numerous artist residency programs,  grants, exhibits, and collections around the country.

JUDGING CRITERIA
After your non-refundable $25 application fee is received and your application has demonstrated that you meet studio eligibility requirements and art guidelines, the jurors will view and score your submitted images using these criteria:

• • • Originality/Creativity
      Does the artist’s work express a unique style/voice and vision?
    • Craftsmanship/Use of Materials or Media
      Does the artist’s work show mastery over his/her medium or innovative use of materials/media?

Artists who are accepted will be contacted by June 7th and will receive an acceptance letter confirming their participation in the event. Upon acceptance, a PARTICIPATION FEE OF $150 will be required and due June 10th.

Once accepted, you will have access to our artist’s info page with Open Studio Tour essentials to help guide you with studio preparation, marketing plans, and a timeline of events.

While Artstra provides administrative event planning, marketing, and promotional support for participating artists, be aware that your active involvement and volunteer work by participating artists will be essential in making this a successful event.

QUESTIONS? For more information contact Jennifer Williams, Clark County Open Studios director.