Call for Artists: The Apropos Show

Application Deadline: April 14, 2023 5PM CT

Location: UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd. Austin, TX 78704
Submissions Open: March 7, 2023
Submissions Close: April 14, 2023 – 5pm
Acceptances Notified: May 5, 2023
Opening Reception: September 7, 2023 6-8pm
Gallery Talk: October/November 2023 (TBD)
Exhibition Closes: November 26, 2023
Website: umlaufsculpture.org/apropos

Charles Umlauf (1910-1994) was a twentieth century American sculptor who favored figuration and is best known for his bronzes. After teaching at the University of Texas for 40 years, he gifted his home, studio, and a large collection of art to the City of Austin in 1985. In 1991, the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum opened on 6 acres, where more than 50 of Umlauf’s sculptures are on permanent display in the Garden. The Gallery and Garden feature rotating exhibitions of contemporary and twentieth century art. The UMLAUF averages over 30,000 visitors each year.

The Apropos Show is a juried group exhibition of contemporary art that thoughtfully addresses an aspect or aspects of Charles Umlauf’s work. We welcome creative submissions that respond compositionally and/or thematically to Umlauf’s sculpture. As an example, some artists might pay homage to Umlauf’s sculpture or subject matter, while other artists might question or problematize tenets embedded in Umlauf’s oeuvre. All media and sizes will be considered; objects may be for indoor or outdoor display. Submissions will be judged on four criteria: quality, creativity, how effectively the proposed work alludes to Umlauf’s work, and how it would fit within the gallery, garden, and with the other accepted submissions. Apropos will be a wide-ranging exhibition that displays a variety of responses to Umlauf’s work, offering viewers a chance to reflect on a multitude of themes. UMLAUF staff will jury the exhibition. We welcome all submissions and encourage minority, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and/or people with disabilities to apply for The Apropos Show.

It is free to apply to Apropos. Please sign up to complete the application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Accepted artists will be notified on April 21, 2023. Participating artists will be expected to attend the opening and to contribute to a gallery talk and/or public tours. Accepted artists will receive further logistical information, shall be provided a contract to sign, and will be given an honorarium to offset the costs of delivering and picking up their work from the UMLAUF. Objects on view in Apropos are not for sale. All work will be featured in the gallery brochure. The UMLAUF is a 501c3 non-profit museum that does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Application Criteria:

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1. Artist/s Contact Info (Name, phone, address, email, and social media handles/website)

2. C.V. or resume (in addition to any website link) AND artist's statement

3. Under 'Files for entry' submit:

a. A statement specific to entry, not to exceed 250 words describing what the artist/s plans to create, including the description of the work, dimensions and media, and how the work responds compositionally and/or thematically to Umlauf's sculpture in a *PDF* file with your images under Files for Entry

b. High-res sketches or renderings of the PROPOSED object/s (up to 2 images) labeled and numbered with artist's surname (e.g., Smith Proposal 1; Smith Proposal 2)

c. High-res images (up to 5 images) of recent artwork labeled and numbered with artist's surname. (e.g., Smith Recent 1; Smith Recent 2)

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