The Athenaeum Invitational 2017: GLOW

The Athenaeum Invitational celebrates the visual arts of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and West Virginia. Underwritten by TTR Sotheby's International Realty, this theme-based exhibition features works by specially-invited artists and artists selected through an open call. The 2017 theme is GLOW: art that conveys a sense of lightness or hope emanating from something dark. Entries may be literal, figural, allegorical, or abstract.

Artists living or working in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia are eligible to enter. Submit 1-3 images of work. Entry fee is $40. All visual media is welcome, but work must be wall-mounted, less than 9 inches deep, and arrive wired and ready to hang. Sculpture must weigh less than 30 pounds. Works requiring electricity will not be accepted. All entries must include a brief statement discussing how the work relates to the theme. Works will be selected based on artistic excellence, innovation, creativity, mastery of craft, and demonstrated relevance to the theme.

The exhibition runs September 24 - October 29, 2017 at the Athenaeum Gallery in Alexandria, VA. Work must be available from September 17 - October 29. A $1,500 prize will be awarded to an invited artist, and a $1,000 prize to an artist from the open call, selected by a noted art expert. The Athenaeum Gallery will retain a 30% commission on works sold and issue payment within thirty days of the show closing. All works will be insured for 100% of retail price during the exhibition. Accepted artists will be notified by August 4, 2017. Delivery is Sunday, September 17 between 2-4 pm. Opening reception is Sunday, September 24, 4-6 pm. Unsold works must be removed Sunday, October 29 between 4-5:30 pm.