The Athenaeum Invitational

The Athenaeum Invitational celebrates the arts of Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia at the Athenaeum Gallery in Alexandria, VA. This theme-based exhibition features works by specially-invited artists who have previously exhibited at the Athenaeum Gallery, as well as works selected through an open call for submissions. Artists living or working in Virginia, the District of Columbia, or Maryland are eligible to submit. A $1,500 prize will be awarded to an invited artist, and a $1,000 prize will be awarded to an artist selected from the open call. The show is juried by Athenaeum Gallery Director Twig Murray, with prize winners selected by Jack Rasmussen, Director and Curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Center in Washington, DC.

This year's theme is inspired by Cole Porter's 1934 song "Don't Fence Me In." Artists are asked to respond to or reflect on this theme in a creative and aesthetically excellent manner, exploring concepts such as the tension between defined areas and lack of boundaries, what constitutes a fence, freedom and constraint, stereotyping and labels, or how classic 1940s cowboy imagery relates to contemporary experiences.

All visual media is welcome, but every work must be wall-mounted and less than 9 inches deep. Paintings, drawings, and collages must be framed or fully finished, wired, and ready to hang. Sculpture must be less than 9 inches deep and lighter than 30 pounds. Video work may be submitted with all necessary equipment provided by the artist. Work must be available for exhibition from September 10 – October 25, 2015. The entry fee is $35.00, and artists must submit 1-3 images. The Athenaeum Gallery will retain a 30% commission on works sold. All works will be insured by the Athenaeum Gallery for 100% of the retail price during the exhibition period.