Something Red is AiA’s crown jewel event, now in its 20th year! This annual call for art and juried exhibition centers around the color red and is a perennial favorite of our local art community. The call is open to all Oregon visual artists and is presented by Artists in Action and Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery. The “Something Red” Call: Create compelling art that features true RED as a focal point or primary color in the composition.In addition, AiA is pleased to take a fresh approach this year with additional judging criteria and matching awards – replacing the traditional “place” awards. The judging criteria and corresponding awards are:
Something Red Best of Show
Best Use of Color Red
Best Original Concept
Best Use of Unconventional Materials
Best Botanical
Therese Misner Sponsor Award
Elsinore Gallery Award
Honorable Mention
People's Choice
Registration/Entry Submission for this Call opens Tuesday, October 11, 2022, via this site which is powered by ArtCall.org. Once registered, artists may enter up to three works of art until the deadline: Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00 pm. The resulting artwork will be exhibited at Salem’s Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery and their website during December. The exhibition opens with an Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Friday, December 2. Complete call details are below.
Artist Eligibility:
Something Red is open to all Oregon visual artists; you DO NOT need to be an AiA member to participate.
You must to be able to deliver and pick up your artwork in Salem, OR; no shipments accepted.
Registration/Entry Fees:
This Registration/Entry Fee is collected by AiA for the judge stipend, awards and the call’s administrative expenses.
Participants may submit up to three (3) works for consideration into the juried exhibition.
AiA Members in good standing: $30
Artist, non-member: $40
Students (up to age 25): $20
Registration/Entry Fee must be paid using debit or credit card during the online registration and art entry submission process (on this site).
Please select appropriate entry fee as submissions will be cross-referenced with our active member list.
Consider becoming an AiA Member if you’re not one already. If you’re unsure of your membership status, please contact us at aia@artistsinaction.org.
Call / Exhibition Requirements:
To be considered, the work must incorporate the color RED as a focal point or primary color in the composition; avoid excessive or sole use of red's color variations such as pinks, mauves, burgundies, etc.
All mediums and styles of visual art will be considered including painting, collage, textiles, sculpture, photography, mixed media, etc.
If submitted for this call, artwork must be available for exhibition for the full duration of the show.
Artwork that has been previously shown in any other AiA exhibit may NOT be submitted.
Art must meet professional presentation standards; NO frame damage, dirty mats or unpainted/unfinished edges.
2-D Art must be no larger than 20" x 24" inches including the frame. If you would like to submit a larger piece, please contact us at aia@artistsinaction.org to see if it can be accommodated.
2-D Art must be ready to hang using a wire which must not be visible; sawtooth hangers or other single fastening devices are not allowed.
Non-framed artwork on wrapped canvas or cradled panels is acceptable, providing the sides are finished.
Non-framed artwork professionally equipped with wall stand-off blocks or hanging apparatus is acceptable.
Artists wishing to display 3D artwork must provide their own secure stand.
Art must have an ID label affixed to the back with artist name, artwork title and contact info.
Please note: AiA reserves the right not to hang art that does not meet above criteria.
Submitting Entries & Deadline:
All registrations, entry submissions and fee payments must be done using the ArtCall platform (this site).
Registration begins Tuesday, October 11, 2022. You may begin the registration and payment process prior to submitting your art entries, up to three (3), which can be done one at a time, or all at the same time.
NOTE: You may log back into the ArtCall site any time to add, delete, change and/or edit your entries up until the deadline.
When submitting each entry, you'll need to provide: Title, Physical Dimensions (incl. frame), Medium and Sale Price (if not for sale, enter "0.00"), and attach one high quality JPG image of the art piece.
The deadline to submit art entries is Tuesday, November 15 by 11:00 pm. (But don't wait until the last day!)
You may log back into the ArtCall site any time to add, delete, change and/or edit your entries up until the deadline.
Auto-generated emails will be sent to you via the ArtCall platform upon submission of EACH entry.
On Friday, November 19 auto-generated emails will be sent to you via the ArtCall platform for EACH entry with notification of its acceptance or non-acceptance into the Something Red exhibit.
Check your spam/junk folder if you do not see the above messages come through. If you cannot find a notification email pertaining to a specific entry, please contact us at aia@artistsinaction.org for status info.
About ArtCall:
AiA manages its Calls to Artists using the ArtCall platform. ArtCall.org is a distinctly separate site from the AiA website and requires registering for an ArtCall account to participate. You only need to register once; then simply log in for all future AiA calls.
Please note, each "official" Call has its own unique web address (URL) which is your starting point to view the call details and participate.
Using ArtCall provides an easy way for artists to pay the entry fee and submit images and descriptions of their art and provides AiA agents with an effective way to manage all aspects of the call including fee payments and jury process.
If you’re not familiar with using the ArtCall interface, the helpful how-to-videos (use menu link) are a good place to start.
AiA members who need assistance with submitting their work in digital format and/or using this site may contact us at aia@artistsinaction.org. Please be specific in your message.
Image Submission Requirements (Art Photos):
Your artwork photo(s) must be the highest possible quality! Consider this: your art will be juried into the exhibit solely by a jury review of the photo AND the photo will be used to show your art in the online gallery and event video.
Use good lighting. When capturing make sure the object is square in the viewfinder and that the desired image fills the viewfinder. Be sure your subject is in sharp focus.
For 2-D art consider removing the frame, glass and mat to avoid glare and reflection distractions. For 3-D work, use a solid colored background and get close to the object.
Use image editing software or an on-line image editing tool such as PicResize.com to ensure your submission images meeting the following requirements:
Images must be in JPG format and be a maximum of 4mb.
Images must have dimensions between 960px – 1920px on the longest side. The higher the resolution, the better the quality.
You DO NOT need to name your files in any specific way.
Art Delivery & Retrieval:
Drop off accepted artwork during regular business hours Saturday, November 26, 10:00–5:00 or Monday , November 28, 9:00–6:00 at Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery, 444 Ferry St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Pick up unsold artwork from Elsinore Gallery on Monday–Wednesday, January 2–4, 9:00-6:00.
Jurying, Judging & Awards:
Judging/Award Criteria in 2022:
Something Red Best of Show — Most captivating art that exemplifies one or more of the stated criteria
Best Use of Color Red — Exceptional use of true red as a focal point or primary color in the composition
Best Original Concept — Most creative interpretation of the Red theme
Best Botanical - Best use of floral elements in a composition
Best Use of Unconventional Materials — Compelling use of unusual mediums, objects or recycled materials or unique application process
Therese Misner Sponsor Award - Awarded to special artwork through recognition by Therese Misner
Elsinore Gallery Award - Awarded to arwork of note by choice of Elsinore Gallery
Honorable Mention - Artwork to artwork of special merit that deserves recognition
People's Choice - Awarded by votes given by patrons of the gallery
Jurying in/out of the exhibit will be done by an AiA jury panel.
Jurying and judging will be on the above criteria in addition to the general principles of art and design.
Judging for award designations will be done in person, at the gallery, by a qualified, unaffiliated artist.
In addition to above awards, an Elsinore Gallery Choice Award will be presented and Theresa Misner will bestow her namesake award.
Award winners will be announced during the opening reception, the AiA and Elsinore Gallery websites and social media.
This event will also feature a People’s Choice Award to be determined and announced once the exhibition has concluded.
Exhibition / Reception / Commission Fee:
The exhibit will hosted by Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery, 444 Ferry St SE, Salem, OR 97301. Masks, distancing required.
On Friday, December 2, an Opening Night Reception will be held from 5:00-8:00 with the Awards Ceremony at 6:00 pm.
All works that are available for sale will be subject to a 40% gallery commission when sold.
Visitors to the gallery may cast their ballot for People's Choice. The gallery's virtual online exhibit will also feature the ability to cast a ballot for People's Choice. All artwork will be available for voting for this public-bestowed award.
The exhibition will run thru December 31.
An event/award presentation will be produced and posted to the AIA website and social media.
Once the exhibition has concluded, an online gallery of all artwork that was displayed will be published on the AiA website.
Terms & Conditions:
By registering and submitting works into this exhibition, you agree to the above terms and conditions. Furthermore, you consent to your name and artwork images being displayed on the AiA and Elsinore websites as well as videos, print and online materials and/or social media platforms, for the sole purpose of promoting the AiA organization and its artists. Of course, you retain the copyright to your artwork. You will be given credit for artwork used wherever possible.
