2022 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition

Bank of the Arts is housed in a historic, turn-of-the-century former bank building featuring impressive original plaster work pillars and decoration illuminated by a large skylight and modern lighting fixtures. The Craven Arts Council hosts rotating exhibitions of local, regional, and national art in three gallery spaces. The historic city of New Bern, the first colonial capital of North Carolina, has become a destination for retirees, families, and tourists, with a rich history and active art community supported by collectors and donors.

The 2022 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition offers $5,000 in awards, including a $1,500 CAC&G Permanent Collection Purchase Award, four $250 Best-in-Category Awards, five $100 Merit Awards, and two $1,000 Honoraria for outdoor work. The juror is Maya Brooks, Mellon Foundation Assistant Curator at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Artists may submit up to three works across five categories: 2D (paintings, mixed media), Photography, Contemporary Crafts (pottery, jewelry, textiles, wood, glass, and metal art), Indoor Sculpture, and Outdoor Sculpture. Entry fee is $35 ($30 for current Craven Arts Council & Gallery members). All artists 18 years or older may submit original works created within the last three years that have not been previously shown at the gallery.

The exhibition will also feature an Ekphrastic Poetry Competition, with poets creating original compositions inspired by artwork in the exhibition. Poetry competition awards and readings will occur during the August ArtWalk Reception on August 12. Key dates: Call closes May 21 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time; artists notified May 28 by 5:00 p.m.; work drop-off/delivery June 1-25; July 8 Opening Reception with visual art winners announced; August 12 reception with poetry winners and readings; pick-up or mailing of work August 30-September 6.