Student artists, apparel designers, and writers are invited to submit up to three entries for consideration in this multimedia exhibition that will be presented in the Memorial Union Art Gallery February 16 - March 12, 2025. Each piece that makes it into the exhibit will have an art label that includes a QR code that connects to a song. Artists are asked to submit a song recommendation with each entry.
This exhibit is open to current Iowa State University students of any major, and each person may submit up to 3 works for consideration. Art can be any two-dimensional or three-dimensional media, including non-traditional gallery media such as (but not limited to) apparel design, poetry, graphic design, and scale models. However, all artwork must be original and not previously displayed in a past MU exhibit. Poetry must be original and not previously displayed in a past MU exhibit.
Entries must be uploaded by Monday, February 3, 2025, at 10am. No late entries will be considered.
Visual art and apparel design will be juried by Matthew Olds, a Washington-based painter, sculptor, and mixed-media artist known for large-scale gallery installations. He and his partner make up HOLDstudios, which provides commissioned artwork, installation, fabrication, and collection management for artists, designers, collectors, and large institutions.
Poetry will be juried by Leah Huizar, a Mexican-American writer and poet. Originally from Southern California, her writing centers on the cultural and historic landscape of the West Coast and the ways in which gender, religion, and colonization have shaped it. She is an Associate professor of English at Drake University, and teaches courses in creative writing, writing studies, Latino literature, and Women and Gender Studies.
Artists will receive a notification e-mail by Wednesday, February 5, to give you the status of your submission(s). If you entered more than one piece, you will receive an e-mail for each entry seperately. The e-mail will let you know if the piece was selected for the exhibit or not and what the next steps are.
Artwork must be delivered to the MU in ready-to-install condition, which means that pieces need to have considerations made for things like matting, framing, hanging mechanisms, stability for sculpture, and general presentation.
Two-dimensional art (not on stretched canvas) must be framed and matting is highly recommended. Talk to your professor or look up information online about ways to mat and frame your artwork. We don't want you to blow your budget, but if you are able to step up from the cheapest frame, you will be happier with the outcome. Another option is to take it to a professional framer, however you will need to do this before you enter your piece in the exhibit since most place take 2-3 weeks for that service. A secure hanging mechanism is requried, and we prefer a hanging wire..
Works on stretched canvas do not have to be framed, but the sides of the canvas do need to be finished (painted). A hanging wire (or D-rings for oversized works) is required.
Fiber pieces that are meant to be hung on the wall must including casings and hanging rods.
Any other artwork that is meant to be hung on the wall must have a secure hanging mechanism.
3D/sulptural works must be stable when freestanding. The MU Gallery will provide pedistals and has small display stands for jewelry.
Apparel design should include a dress form provided by the artist but if you don't have access to one, contact us and we will try to assist in securing one for the exhibit. If a smaller piece is accepted (hat, accessory, etc.), we will provide a display case for the piece.
Poetry does not need to be dropped off. We will use the submission's text on an 11" x 17" page with similar formatting as the entry, and will mount the poem on foamcore for the exhibit. We will show writers a proof of poem before printing.
Any accepted pieces that are not accurately depicted in the entry images may be rejected by the Gallery Coordinator at the time of the exhibit installation. The Gallery Coordinator may also refuse to accept or exhibit objects that are improperly prepared for display. If your artwork doesn't fit in the above categories or if you are unsure, we can talk about options for presentation in advance of the art delivery time.
Accepted pieces may be delivered on Sunday, February 9 from 4-5pm or Monday, February 10, time TBA to the Memorial Union Art Gallery, Room 1568 on the first floor. If you are unable to deliver at the designated time, you may make arrangements in advance for an early drop-off by e-mailing mugallery@iastate.edu. No late pieces will be included in the exhibit, without exceptions, so please plan accordingly.
The jurors will determine the Best of Show in visual art/apparel design, and poetry with awards of $100. The Memorial Union Gallery Coordinator will choose a Purchase Award winner. This is a piece that will be purchased by the MU and added to our Permanent Art Collection. Only pieces listed for sale can be considered for the Purchase Award.
The exhibit will be held in the Memorial Union Art Gallery February 16 - March 12, 2025, and hours are Monday - Friday from 11am-4pm and Sunday from 1-4pm. A public reception will be held shortly after the opening to announce award winners. The exhibit and reception are open to everyone, so we encourage artists to invite their family and friends.
When entering your information online, you will need to indicate whether artwork or apparel is for sale or not for sale. Poetry entries can enter $0.
Pricing artwork can be challenging, so if you aren't sure be sure to take the following into consideration: the cost of the supplies, the cost of framing, the time it took you to create it, and if the piece is reproducable. For example, if you enter a photograph that you can reprint, or if this is one-of-a-kind. Keep in mind that the Memorial Union receives a 20% commission on all art sales, so add that into your final sale price.
If your piece is not for sale, you will still need to list an insurance value. You can use the above to help determine the value of your piece.
We encourage you not to undersell yourself, but the prices and insurance values must also be reasonable as our coverage is limited and at the discretion of the Memorial Union.
All inquires about sales must go through the Memorial Union Art Gallery during the exhibition.
When you submit entries to this exhibition it means that you are accepting the rules and conditions stated here and on ArtCall.
The Memorial Union reserves the right to photograph accepted work for publicity and/or inventory purposes.
All entries will be handled in a professional manner while in the care of the Memorial Union staff.
Insurance will be provided while artwork is in the possession of the MU and will cease on March 14, 2025.
Artwork must remain in the MU Gallery for the duration of the exhibit. Artwork may be picked up on March 12 from 4-5pm or March 13 from time TBA. Unclaimed artwork will become property of the Iowa State Memorial Union.
Any questions regarding the exhibit may be directed to mugallery@iastate.edu or Letitia Kenemer, Workspace and Arts Coordinator.
