Enchanted Realm: Metaphors of Natural Design

Enchanted Realm: Metaphors of Natural Design is an exhibition exploring how birds influence our understanding of our place in the world. The exhibition seeks to capture the ways humans think in metaphor and view the world through an imagined lens, with birds providing a natural metaphor for the innate desires and aspirations of human existence. The theme embraces a wide variety of artistic work, with subjects that may include avian behaviors; adaptations; structures such as feathers, nests, and eggs; birdwatching; technologies based on avian studies; bird symbolism; and other endeavors inspired by connections with and love of bird life. All media will be considered, including painting, printmaking, photography, drawing, sculpture, book art, video, sound art, and installation.

Each artist may submit up to 3 artworks. Submit entries through CaFE with at least one still image per entry. A maximum of 6 images may be submitted (for 3-D works needing reverse views or large works needing detail images). Maximum file size is 5 MB per image. Video and sound art submissions must include a still image of the overall project. Do not include your name in any file title or technical statement. Entry fee is $45 for non-members or $35 for Arts Benicia members. The entry fee includes submission of up to 3 artworks; you may submit 1 or 2 instead. Entries need not be for sale, but Arts Benicia has a history of successfully selling works. Artists receive 60% on sales; Arts Benicia receives 40% and bears all transaction fees.

Due to federal and state regulations, artworks for sale must not include wild-gathered or found nests, eggs, feathers, bones, or other bird body parts unless the artist holds correct agency permits. Feathers, eggs, body parts, and other elements are permitted from domestic fowl species, legally-owned pet birds, dyed or painted domestic feather replicas, and human-manufactured bird nest or egg replicas. Exhibition dates are June 1 – July 7, 2019. Artists will be notified of acceptance on April 17. Hand-delivered work is received May 15 & 16, 3-6 PM. Shipped artwork must arrive no earlier than May 8 and no later than May 16. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs; a pre-paid return label must be provided. Artwork pick-up is July 10 & 11, 3-6 PM. Events include a private preview (May 30, 6-7 PM), public reception (June 1, 6-8 PM), and free family art day (June 2, 1-3 PM). For information about installation works or video/sound submissions, contact [email protected] with "Enchanted Realm" as the subject line.