The International Encaustic Artists (IEA) and Hope Lives: Art for ALS invite IEA members to apply for Research Renderings.
Research Renderings is an opportunity for artists to create artwork inspired by one of 3 provided ALS research images. This is a curated exhibition opportunity for IEA members only. In addition to three monetary awards, artists are guaranteed that at least one entry from their submissions will be included in either the IEA and Hope Lives online galleries OR the gallery exhibition located at the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery.
Web Galleries and San Francisco Gallery Exhibition Dates: May 6 - 31, 2025
The International Encaustic Artists (IEA) and Hope Lives: Art for ALS invite IEA members to apply for Research Renderings. Hope Lives: Art for ALS is an annual art exhibition in its fourth year. It is a fundraiser and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) awareness event that takes place each May in San Francisco, CA, during ALS Awareness Month. The goals of the Hope Lives exhibition are to celebrate artists and help raise awareness and funding for ALS research. This year's exhibition is made possible through the united efforts of Melissa Stephens (artist & founder of Hope Lives), the IEA, San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, and the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI.)
The Hope Lives exhibition merges Melissa’s artistic vocation with her desire to honor her sister's ALS journey (July 2020 - November 2023). ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that breaks down the communication between a person's brain and their muscles. It steals a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe. The average lifespan for a diagnosed person is 2 - 5 years. There is no cure for ALS.
This year’s theme is Research Renderings. It is an opportunity for IEA artists to create artwork inspired by one of 3 provided ALS research images. The research images are scientifically charged, presenting visuals of degeneration and regeneration on a molecular level. At the same time, they are aesthetically beautiful, which invites artists to reimagine content, form, color and mark making in new and exciting ways. This is a curated exhibition for IEA members only, and artists are guaranteed that at least one entry from their submissions will be included in either the IEA and Hope Lives online galleries or the gallery exhibition at the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery.
The Hope Lives: Art for ALS exhibition is special because patrons know they are helping the ALS community when they purchase the artwork that they love.
IMAGES: Artists are invited to submit up to three original and newly created hot or cold wax artworks inspired by one of 3 provided ALS research photographs (see link provided below). Please choose one image to inspire each new artwork that you create. Artists may select a different photograph for each artwork, but please do not select multiple photographs for one creation. Please remember to indicate the number of the photograph in the image title. See instructions in "HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ART."
See images HERE.
AWARDS:
Lynn Giovannelli Excellence in Arts Awards:
To Life Award ($200) - Artwork that reflects on life's preciousness and the idea that, together, we can make a difference in the lives of others.
Inquiry Award ($100) - Artwork that signifies that knowledge is power, and focuses on a push for bending scientific boundaries in ALS research.
Hope Award ($75) - Artwork that emits a willingness to see beyond a present moment, or a belief that transcends pain and suffering.
CURATOR: Melissa Stephens, Artist & Founder of Hope Lives: Art for ALS
Melissa Stephens is an encaustic painter, photographer and printmaker who has spent 15 years educating children and adults in the arts. She received a BA in Art from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA. She is an encaustic painting instructor and advocate for the arts in Walnut Creek, CA. Her encaustic paintings explore themes of: healing and hope, and show in galleries regionally and nationally. In 2022 she co-founded NorCAL Wax, a Chapter of the IEA. That same year, Stephens created Hope Lives: Art for ALS to honor her sister who was diagnosed with ALS in July 2020. She has served as the Social Media Chair of Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek, CA since 2016. In 2024 she began serving as the Exhibition Director for the IEA.
Website: www.mascreations.com
Visit Hope Lives: Art for ALS for more information about past exhibitions.
SPONSORS:
ALS TDI is the world's foremost drug discovery lab focused solely on ALS. As a nonprofit biotech they operate without regard to profit or politics. Led by drug development experts and people with ALS, their Watertown, MA based lab is funded by a global network of supporters unified to end ALS. Their mission is to discover and develop effective treatments for ALS.
The San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) is a historic nonprofit arts organization located in the vibrant Sunset neighborhood. Committed to a core belief in the transformative power of art, SFWA serves a community that is a diverse blend of talents and backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.
The International Encaustic Artists (IEA) supports the growth and advancement of wax artists at all stages of their careers. Opportunities and resources for IEA members include: various grants, artist retreats, art material drawings of chance, virtual and in-person exhibitions, residency resources, Wax Fusion: an online printable magazine, continued education and mentorship. The IEA is dedicated to building community and shared knowledge among artists throughout the world who work with encaustics and other wax media.
IMPORTANT DATES & DETAILS:
Call Opens: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Open Call End Date: Friday, March 28, 2025 (by 7 pm PT)
Acceptance Notification: Thursday, April 3, 2025 (by 6 am PT)
Online Gallery & San Francisco Gallery Exhibition Dates: May 6 - 31, 2025
Opening Reception & Awards: Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 2 - 4 pm
Wine Tasting & Ekphrastic Poetry Event: Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 2 - 4:30 pm
Shipping Deadline: Saturday, April 27, 2025
Ship To: Melissa Stephens, 1812 Newcastle Court, Walnut Creek, CA 94595
Hand Deliver Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025 between 11 am - 3 pm
Hand Deliver To & Location: Melissa Stephens at the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, 647 Irving Street, San Francisco, CA 94122
ELIGIBILITY
National and international artists who are 18 years or older and IEA members in good standing are invited to submit up to three original hot or cold wax artworks.
Artwork must be newly created and inspired by one of 3 provided scientific photographs.
Work must be ready to hang. D-rings and wire, required for 2D artwork. Two-dimensional artworks may not exceed 36 inches (including the frame) in any direction.
Three-dimensional works must not exceed 20 inches in depth and may not weigh more than 40 pounds.
This is a curated exhibition. Applicants are guaranteed that at least one entry from their application will be included in the IEA and Hope Lives: Art for ALS website galleries OR the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery. There is a suggested donation of $25 or lesser amount for your application. While the donation is not mandatory, it is good karma.
Artists agree to donate at least 35% of their sales to ALS TDI. The remaining percentage goes directly to the artist. Neither the IEA nor the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery will take a commission on artwork. Purchased artwork that requires shipping will be paid by the purchaser; most shipping arrangements will be made by the Gallery or Melissa Stephens.
MEDIA
Wax (cold or heated) must be the primary medium. Artists can use any substrate they like, and may combine other materials into their work.
Three-dimensional sculptural work is also welcome.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ART:
ARTCALL.ORG INSTRUCTIONS & TIPS:
ALL submissions will be online uploads of images of your artwork via artCall.org at this link
PLEASE read the following carefully, and watch the tutorial video below before entering.
* To apply, register for the call at the above web address by creating an account or logging in with ArtCall.org. You will get an email confirmation of your registration with a link to complete your submission.
* Artists first need to select a donation amount (positive energy, but optional,) which allows you to submit 3 unique artworks inspired by the scientific photographs provided.
* Once you register, you will need to submit a 1 - 3 new "applications" (aka - submissions or entries) for each artwork, but you only need to register and donate once.
* ArtCall.org uses the term "applications" to refer to artwork "submissions."
* There is a 60 minute time limit. Make sure that you have all of your images and information together before beginning your applications/submissions.
* If you make a mistake or want to change your applications/submissions, you may continue to edit them until the open call end date by logging back into your account.
* Add the requested information and upload an image for each artwork application. There are instructions along the way to help you. /
* Each entry/application allows for 2 images. The first image is for your artwork photograph, the second image is for an optional detail photograph.
* The "Description/Statement Field" may be used for any additional information deemed important to the content or creation of the artwork.
Submission period is February 8 - March 28, 2025
Once the call is over, you may check the status of your application by logging into your account at artCall.org. Juried status and sales will be updated there.
SPECIFICATIONS
All entries must follow the timelines provided.
Image submission via artCall.org must follow the guidelines in the IEA prospectus
To be selected, entries must:
- Be original and newly inspired by one of 3 ALS research photographs. One photograph should inspire one artwork, but each artwork may be inspired by a different photograph.
- Have NOT been completed under instruction or in direct association with a class or workshop
- NOT be withdrawn or sold outside of the exhibition prior to the closing date.
SALES
Please include a sales price for your work, or NFS if you do not wish to sell it. Neither the IEA nor the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery will take commission on sold artwork.
Artists agree to donate at least 35% of their sales to the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Artists may choose to donate more, if desired.
LIABILITY
Should artwork sell from the IEA or Hope Lives: Art for ALS online galleries, the artist will be notified and be assisted with the shipping process.
Should artwork sell from the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, the artist will be notified, and shipping will be processed by the Gallery or Melissa Stephens.
All shipping expenses are forwarded to the buyer.
OTHER DETAILS
International Encaustic Artists (IEA) supports the growth and advancement of encaustic and wax artists at all stages of their careers and provides opportunities and resources within a global community.
For more information about International Encaustic Artists, or to become a member, click here!
You can leave this video on your call site's homepage (or embed it on any page) for a quick tutorial your users can watch to help them with the submission process.
