My MIX: Adventures in Mixed Media Submission

As previously mentioned, next month MIX: Adventures in Mixed Media, a collaboration between Artistic Artifacts and Del Ray Artisans Gallery, takes place. This juried exhibit opens with a reception on Friday, May 1st and closes May 31. The exhibit promises to “shake up” the imagination and explore the mixed media art movement!

During this month-long exhibit Del Ray Artisans and Artistic Artifacts are also offering workshops and classes for anyone interested in mixed media. Visit our website for a full list!

The deadline to submit artwork is quickly approaching:

• Artwork (created by combining two or more mediums) submissions/drop-off/receiving takes place Sunday, April 26 and Monday, April 27 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Artists are responsible for drop-off/pick-up arrangements; remember your completed entry form.
• All work must be original (no reproductions) and not previously exhibited in a Del Ray Artisans show.
• Artists may submit up to 3 pieces of artwork. Entry fee is $5 per piece for Del Ray Artisans Members and $10 per piece for Non-Members. Entry fees are non-refundable. Insurance for any artwork is the responsibility of the artist.
• Your art must be ready to hang or display with wire and screw eyes, mounting and/or display stand, framed, matted, or with edges finished.
• Artwork that is not accepted for this exhibit can be picked up Tuesday April 28 & Wednesday, April 29 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

I am serving as a Curator along with Karen Schmitz, a contemporary painter, mixed media and monotype artist. As a former Del Ray Artisans Gallery Director, she has curated numerous exhibits and events. The MIX: Adventures in Mixed Media juror is Rosalie Lamanna, owner of Beads Ltd in Alexandria and a very talented quilter, jewelry artist and much more.

But in addition to my curator role, of course I want to enter a piece in the show as well. I selected the one pictured at the beginning of this post (click on the photo for a larger view).

You have heard me say, many a time, that I love vintage textiles... and you know I try to incorporate them into my artwork as often as I can, especially combined with vintage photos. Those I am also very fond of!

This mixed media art quilt began with an amazing vintage photo of two men; I’d love to claim them, but they are not my ancestors... but dapper all the same. I loved their pose on a bench, and the rolling painted landscape background.

I scanned the photo into my computer and printed it on a sheet of EQ Printables Premium Cotton Lawn Inkjet Fabric, added a border and stitching. The layer below the photo is another quilt, over which I added a piece of vintage lace. I sewed the bordered photo to this, and I originally thought I was only going to add a sleeve. But I wasn’t happy with the results. So, as I often advise, I sat on it for awhile to puzzle out a solution.

By luck I found a vintage suitcase that included an interior divider that turned out to be perfect! Antique collectors might cringe, but I cut the divider right out of that suitcase with a packing knife, leaving the raw, cut edge intact.

While I was at first surprised to see the brass rod on the suitcase divider, I found it perfect to hang vintage items and bits of ephemera; things I thought my gentlemen might have in their pockets.

Before mounting the assemblage to the suitcase divider, I added the bone buttons and bits of blue lace. I attached the quilt to the divider at the same time I hand stitched the rust trim to the quilt.

I have a few days yet...I still have to figure out how to hang this piece in time to submit to the show. As noted above, all submissions must be ready to hang or mount. Del Ray Artisans has prepared Artwork Presentation and Submission Guidelines to help you ensure that your work is neatly finshed and properly prepared for display. If your work is well-executed but poorly presented, it risks rejection as unprofessional.

Del Ray Artisans Gallery is located at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria, VA.If you are accepted as an artist, you volunteer as a gallery host and/or volunteer with postcard distribution, set-up, hanging, opening/closing receptions and/or take down.

Get inspiration by going to the Facebook page: MIX: Adventures in Mixed Media.

Download the MIX: Adventures in Mixed Media Call for Entry PDF »