Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Here’s a note from WNC Magazine’s marketing and circulation manager, and loyal Ashvegas reader, Ayana. Spread the word:
We have begun the open call to visual artists in Western North Carolina for WNC magazine’s 2nd annual On the Verge competition for emerging talent. This project is especially dear to me since it is all about giving well-deserved exposure to the wealth of visual artistic talent that exists here, not only on a regional level, but on a national one as well.
For those who might be unfamiliar with OTV, it is a competition for visual artists who have lived in Western North Carolina for at least one year, and who have never had a major solo exhibition at a commercial gallery before (more specifics can be found at http://www.wncmagazine.com/otv/about#rules ). Selected artists get a spread in the June 2010 issue of WNC magazine, a month-long gallery show, and more.
This year, we are thrilled to be working with Flood Gallery within Phil Mechanic Studios in the River Arts District, allowing for the gallery show to coincide with the summer Studio Stroll. Also exciting for this year’s competition are two new developments:
1. Jolene Mechanic, Executive Director of Flood Gallery Fine Arts Studio, has secured judges from all over the country. She has confirmed that Jason Andrew, founder and director of Norte Marr in Brooklyn, Marcia Cohen, artist and Professor at SCAD Atlanta, as well as Los Angeles based artist and curator, H.K. Zamani will all be coming to Asheville to decide who will be deemed On the Verge in 2010. I couldn’t be more excited that all submissions will be seen by each one of these influential individuals, not just the winners. Here’s more: http://www.wncmagazine.com/otv/judges
2. This year, in addition to the ten or so artists that the judges select, there will be a People’s Choice Winner as well. Once all submissions are in, there will be an online gallery where visitors to wncmagazine.com will be able to check out what will no doubt be an exciting and varied array of entries and vote on who they would like to see be a part of On the Verge 2010. The People’s Choice winner will be included in the On the Verge feature in the magazine as well as have selected works on display at Flood Gallery for both the Private and Public Openings. This offers yet another avenue of exposure for all entrants, not just the winners.
Last year, we had over 150 submissions from 13 counties throughout Western North Carolina and I am counting on folks like you to help me spread the word so that we get a similar if not more impressive response. As you all know, it’s easy to be very Asheville-centric, but it’s important to me and the magazine that as many visual artists as possible throughout our 24 county region know about this great opportunity.
