March 23 - June 23, 2019
Opening Reception: Friday, March 22, 2019 5 - 7 pm
Sioux City Art Center Selects is a regional juried exhibition, open to all artists in Iowa, as well artists living within 300 miles of Sioux City. Unlike traditional juried exhibitions that ask jurors to select individual artworks based on their merits, Sioux City Art Center Selects asks artists to submit a body of work, which will then be judged by the overall quality of the artworks and by the clarity and consistency of the body of work. The Art Center’s director and curator will select eight artists, and will then work with each of them to bring work to the Art Center for this exhibition. The exhibition, therefore, will present visitors with a better understanding of how artists in our region are thinking and creating right now.
In 2016, eight artists were selected, and the curator met with each to select work for the exhibition. The curator arranged the exhibition in the 3,200-sq. ft. Main Gallery to present a significant collection of each artist’s work. Seven artists exhibited 4-6 artworks, while the eighth presented a single installation of photographs and objects. Participating artists included Stephanie Brunia, Guy Loraine, Dan Perry, and Jessica Teckemeyer (IA), David Sebberson (MN), Sherry Leedy (MO), Dana Fritz (NE), and Rick Johns (SD)—each artist working in a unique way using different materials. At the opening reception, the artists spoke briefly about their work and careers.
Overall, the project allowed northwest Iowa residents and visitors to view the variety and high quality of art production of artists in the state or within a half-day's drive from Sioux City. The Art Center determined, through the excitement the exhibition created and the depth of the applicant pool, that it deserved a sequel. However, scheduling complications, due to major construction occurring on-site, have pushed the exhibition to spring 2019.
With grant funding from the Iowa Arts Council, the 2019 project will include a new program with the artists, The Artist Experience. During this daylong (10:30am-3:30pm) program on March 23, the artists will give more extensive presentations on the development of their work. The program will also include a round-table conversation with the artists about the development of their ideas and styles, and how that development has translated into artistic and professional success. While the general public will be invited, the target audience will be young and emerging artists. In 2019, also thanks to the Iowa Arts Council, the Art Center will be able to offer $1,000 honoraria for all artists for participating in the exhibition and The Artist Experience, and it will cover shipping and lodging expenses.
A copy of the prospectus can be found here: Sioux City Art Center Selects Prospectus
