Become an Exhibitor
CURATORIAL STATEMENT
The galleries at the WNY Book Arts Center showcase contemporary explorations in the creative practice of the book arts. They are spaces that seek to promote, question, and advance on-going definitions of bookbinding, printmaking, papermaking, and more.
By providing an inclusive environment that fosters innovation, growth, and development, our exhibitions serve as an entry point for our diverse community to learn and critically engage with this expansive medium. For all creatively curious from newcomers to seasoned professionals, crafters to critics, our galleries create a site where artists and spectators alike nourish the future of the book as art.
CALL FOR ARTISTS
MAIN GALLERY
MAIN GALLERY
About the Call for Artists
Our Main Gallery lives in our accessible street-level space, alongside our artist gift shop and class space. As part of our mission to advance the preservation & understanding of the book arts, we seek to support & nourish the creative community in our region by showcasing innovative and thoughtful artworks in our gallery.
We invite regional artists working in all book arts-related disciplines to submit, including emerging and established artists. We especially encourage indigenous, people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ2+ people to apply. Artists must be 18 years of age.
Book Arts will provide promotional materials and support for the exhibition, and offers a $400 stipend at the culmination of the exhibition. Artwork is welcome to be priced for sale, with Book Arts retaining a 30% commission. Additionally, we supply hand-crafted show pamphlets (printed on one of our mid-century Vandercooks), as well as photo documentation of the exhibition. Currently, to maintain accessibility to our galleries during COVID and beyond, exhibitions will live in both our physical space and digitally, with online viewing capabilities.
How to Apply
Please see the deadlines listed, and submit the form below to be considered for a Book Arts Main Gallery Exhibition.
Email any questions to [email protected] with the subject line “Main Gallery Submission Question”
APPLY HERE: MAIN GALLERY EXHIBITION SUBMISSION FORM
2022 submissions are closed. We are currently accepting submissions on a rolling basis for 2023.
Eligibility
- Submissions should reflect work with an emphasis or focus in the book arts. This includes, but is not limited to, papermaking, artists books and book binding, printmaking, and letterpress. Please see our Curatorial Statement above.
- Artists must be at least 18 years of age, and reside in New York State.
- Artists will be asked to deliver a workshop, artist talk, or demonstration that accompanies their exhibition (to be held on a date after the opening).
- Artists who have had a solo exhibition at Book Arts within the past three years (2019-2021) are not eligible to apply.
CALL FOR ARTISTS
STUDIO RESIDENCY
STUDIO ARTIST RESIDENCY
About the Call for Artists
As part of our mission to advance the preservation & understanding of the book arts, we seek to support & nourish the creative community in our region by showcasing innovative and thoughtful artworks created in our Studio. We invite artists working in all disciplines to submit, including emerging and established artists. We especially encourage indigenous, people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ2+ people to apply. Artists must be 18 years of age.
About the Studio Artist Residency
The Studio Artist Residency includes access to our family of antique letterpresses, a wide collection of metal and wood type, an intaglio press, and our book making and screen printing studios. Materials such as ink and basic papers are provided, and the artist will receive a storage drawer for the duration of their residency. Additional materials/tools may be made available as pertaining to the project, along with assistance from Book Arts staff, volunteers & interns, and teaching artists. This residency is open to artists of all disciplines, and while previous experience with the printmaking process is helpful, it is not required. There is no fee to apply to or attend the residency.
Residency duration is two (2) months. Resident artists are invited to work anytime during our Studio open hours 10am-5:30pm Tuesday-Friday, 10am-2pm Saturdays, with outside hours availability to be discussed. At the end of this two month period, the resident artist will host an exhibition of their works in the Studio Gallery.
About the Studio Gallery
Our Studio Gallery lives in our accessible lower-level studio, and functions as a space for artists to highlight the discoveries and creative explorations from their residency. The resident artist’s culminating exhibition will take place in tandem with our Main Gallery exhibition schedule (see dates below). The exhibition space is 25’ in length x 5′ in height, with table space if applicable. Book Arts will provide assistance for installation in terms of hanging materials and labor. Artworks are permitted to be sold during the culminating exhibition, with Book Arts retaining a 30% commission. Currently, to maintain accessibility to our galleries during COVID and beyond, exhibitions will live in both our physical space and digitally, with online viewing capabilities.
How to Apply
Please see the deadlines listed, and submit the form below to be considered for a Book Arts Studio Residency.
Email any questions to [email protected] with the subject line “Studio Residency Submission Question”
APPLY HERE: STUDIO RESIDENCY SUBMISSION FORM
2022 submissions are closed. We are currently accepting submissions on a rolling basis for 2023.
Eligibility
- Open to artists of all disciplines, and while previous experience with the printmaking process is helpful, it is not required.
- Artist must be at least 18 years of age, and reside in New York State.
- Artist must able to provide their transportation to and from the Studio.
