Art Call: Turn Disney on its Ear!

Curator John Gascot and The Cider Press invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for their upcoming Disney-themed exhibit.
This group exhibit will feature artworks within the theme of Disney. This includes Disney films, characters, amusement park and more...as long as it is Disney related. The goal is not to infringe copyrights by creating works that are direct copies of Disney imagery but to re-interpret in your own individual styles and voices. The work may be celebratory, satirical or commentary in nature. Each entry should measure no less than 6" x 6" and no larger than 40" x  30" (or slightly larger). All work must be properly wired across the back and ready to hang upon delivery. Works not ready to hang or shoddily framed will not be included in the exhibit.

This show will run for the month of September (possibly October) 2019.

Commission is 70% Artist-30% Curator.

Submit all images along with Title/Medium/Size/Price info for each to jgascot@gascot.com

Submission Deadline: Saturday, August 24.

Acceptance Emails will be sent by Monday, August 26.

All accepted work must be delivered to John Gascot's studio (5663 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park) Tuesday August 25-Friday August 30, 2019. (sooner times available with earlier acceptance notices).

Call for Art: Souvenir

Souvenir

Curator John Gascot and The Cider Press Café invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for their upcoming Souvenir exhibit.
Springtime is peak tourist season and this show offers tourists a chance to take a piece of the Tampa Bay home with them. Think St. Pete beaches, landmarks, events; any and everything which makes the Sunshine City an iconic destination.
Submission Deadline: Friday, February 22
Each entry should measure no less than 6x6" and no larger than 48x60". All works must be properly wired across the back and ready to hang upon delivery. Works not ready to hang or shoddily framed will not be included in the exhibit. 
This exhibit will run March/April 2019
Submission Deadline: Friday, February 22
Delivery: Monday February 25-Friday March 1

 

Commission is 70% Artist-30% Curator.

Submit all images along with Title/Medium/Size/Price info for each to jgascot@gascot.com

Call for Art: The Life Aquatic

Ocean City Surf by Margaret Juul

Curator John Gascot and The Cider Press Café invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for their upcoming The Life Aquatic exhibit. This group show will feature artwork which depicts and explores oceanic themes and marine life. Each entry should measure no less than 6x6" and no larger than 48x60". All works must be properly wired across the back and ready to hang upon delivery. Works not ready to hang or shoddily framed will not be included in the exhibit. 
This exhibit will run January/February 2019
Submission Deadline: Friday, December 28
Delivery: Tuesday January 1 through Friday January 4

If you wish to receive email notifications about future artist calls or if you are submitting for this one please join the Artist Call email list via the link below:

http://eepurl.com/bIofsz

Call for Art: Dia de los Muertos

Curator John Gascot and The Cider Press Café invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for their upcoming Dia de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead exhibit. This group show will feature artwork celebrating Mexico's iconic and internationally celebrated holiday. In addition to paintings and photography we encourage submissions of (hangable) altars and masks. Each entry should measure no less than 6x6" and no larger than 48x60". All works must be properly wired across the back and ready to hang upon delivery. Works not ready to hang or shoddily framed will not be included in the exhibit. 

Dia de los Muertos will run through the month of October 2018.

Commission is 70% Artist-30% Curator.

Submit all images along with Title/Medium/Size/Price info for each to jgascot@gascot.com

Submission deadline: Friday, September 28, 2018
Email notices by: Monday, October 1, 2018

Delivery: Saturday, October 6, 2018, 11am (promptly)

An opening reception is usually held during St. Pete's Second Saturday Art Walk.
This exhibit will also serve as setting for an upcoming Equality Florida social event/reception.

If you wish to receive email notifications about future artist calls or if you are submitting for this one please join the Artist Call email list via the link below. All pick up/delivery notices are sent through it.

http://eepurl.com/bIofsz

2nd Annual Come OUT St. Pete Art Exhibit & Contest

This Fall St. Petersburg, FL will come alive in celebration of National Coming Out Day. The 2nd Annual Come OUT St. Pete will be comprised of a series of events in October and will focus on, celebrate and raise awareness about self-truth, pride, community and acceptance. An important preceding event will be Come OUT St. Pete Art Exhibit & Contest, at which prizes will be awarded and an image will be chosen to represent this year's festival on the guide, merchandise and promotions. 

Come OUT St. Pete and curator John Gascot invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for the upcoming pop up exhibit, Come OUT St. Pete. Artists may submit up to 5 quality images (at least 500 x 500 and no larger than 1000 x 1000 pixels) of available works. Each entry should measure no less than 8x8" and no more than 30x40". First Place winner agrees to grant Come OUT St. Pete copyright of winning image for use in merchandise and promotion of the festival. Artists must be able to provide high quality 300dpi image of their submission to be considered for prizes as 1st place will be printed on merchandise and promo materials. Note: While submissions should translate well to print and keep in mind the theme of Come OUT St. Pete and what it promotes, this is not a logo contest.

The Come OUT St. Pete Art Exhibit & Contest will run from September 8 to October 11, 2018 at Woodfield Fine Art.

Prizes:

(18 yrs and over):

1st Place- $500 in cash and prizes and inclusion in Come OUT St. Pete 2017 Merchandise.

2nd Place- $150 in cash and prizes.

3rd Place- $75 in cash and prizes.

Young Artist Award (under 18 yrs)- $150 in cash and prizes.

Grand Central Proud Festival Booth- All artists accepted into the exhibit will receive a free booth space at the Grand Central Proud Festival held on Saturday October 6, 12-6pm.

Jurors:

John Gascot, Artist, curator and gallery coordinator at Studios at 5663

Derek Donnelly, Artist and owner COVE Gallery.

1 more juror TBA.

Please  submit images along with Title/Medium/Size information for each to jgascot@gascot.com

Commission split on sold works is 40% to Woodfield Fine Art and 60% to the artist.

Submission deadline: July 31, 2018

Email Notices: August 6, 2018

Delivery of work: September 4 & 5, 11am-5pm

Opening Reception: Saturday September 8, 6-9pm

Call for Artists: One Pride, Two Venues!

June is coming and we are bursting at the seams with pride! St. Pete Pride is just around the corner and we are celebrating with two shows in one night. That's right, there's so much pride it cannot be contained under one roof so I'm curating sister-shows across the street from one another, hosted by Cider Press Café and The Emerald Bar.
You won't want to miss out on these celebrations.

PRIDE WITHOUT PREJUDICE

The Cider Press Cafe, St. Pete and curator John Gascot invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for their upcoming exhibit Pride Without Prejudice. 

This group exhibit celebrates the vast diversity of the St. Pete/Tampa Bay community. We invite artists (LGBTQ and Allies) to submit expressions and depictions celebrating LGBTQ Pride as well as gender, orientation and racial equality. Keyword: DIVERSITY!
Eligible Tampa bay area artists may submit up to 5 quality images (at least 500x500 and no larger than 1000x1000 pixels) of available works. Each entry should measure no less than 6" x 6". There is no size limit and medium to larger works are encouraged and welcome. Medium to smaller (easy to travel with) works are also encouraged as the exhibit will run during St. Pete's Pride festivities, which attract large number of tourists. All work must be properly wired and ready to hang upon delivery.

Pride Without Prejudice will run from June 4, 2018 through July 1, 2018. Commission split is 30%,with 70% to the artist. Please submit images along with Title/Medium/Size info for each to: jgascot@gascot.com
Submission deadline: Friday, May 25.
Acceptance emails will be sent by Monday, May 28.
All accepted works must be delivered on Saturday, June, 2, 11 am.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 9, 6-9 pm.

The Emerald Bar and curator John Gascot invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for their upcoming exhibit Pride and Joy.
This group exhibit celebrates St. Pete Pride 2018. We invite artists (LGBTQ and Allies) to submit artworks celebrating LGBTQ Pride and love equality in bright, colorful and joyful styles. Cheeky, tongue-in-cheek, humorous imagery encouraged! Eligible Tampa bay area artists may submit up to 5 quality images (at least 500x500 and no larger than 1000x1000 pixels) of available works. Each entry should measure no less than 6" x 6" and no larger than 24" x 30". Easy-to-travel-with sizes are encouraged as the exhibit will run during St. Pete's Pride festivities, which attract large number of tourists. All work must be properly wired and ready to hang upon delivery.

Pride & Joy will run from June 9, 2018 through July 7, 2018. In Emerald tradition there is zero commission on sales of this exhibit. Please submit images along with Title/Medium/Size info for each to: jgascot@gascot.com

Submission deadline: Friday, May 25.

Acceptance emails will be sent by Monday, May 28.

Delivery date TBA.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 9, 6-9 pm.

If you wish to receive email notifications about future artist calls or if you are submitting for this one please join the Artist Call email list via the link below:

 http://eepurl.com/bIofsz

Call for Art: Artist's Choice

Artist's Choice

Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria, St. Pete invites Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for its upcoming exhibit.  Artists may submit up to 5 quality images of their choice (at least 500x500 and no larger than 1000x1000 pixels) of available works. Each entry should measure no smaller than 8" x 8" and no larger than 30" x 40 ".  All work must be properly wired and ready to hang on a display system upon delivery (no sawtooth hangers, wire only, please).

This exhibit will run from October 8 through the month of December 2017. Commission split is 30%, with 70% to the artist. Please submit images along with Title/Medium/Size info for each to: jgascot@gascot.com

Submission deadline: Friday, September 30.

Acceptance emails will be sent by Monday, October 1. 

All accepted works must be delivered on Sunday, October 8, 5:00 pm.

If you wish to receive email notifications about future artist calls or if you are submitting for this one please join the Artist Call email list via the link below:

 http://eepurl.com/bIofsz

Call for Art: Come Out St. Pete

This Fall in St. Petersburg, FL the Grand Central District and neighboring districts will come alive in celebration of National Coming Out Day. The inaugural Come OUT St. Pete will be comprised of a series of events Oct.11-15, 2017 and will focus on, celebrate and raise awareness about self-truth, pride, community and acceptance. An important preceding event will be Come OUT St. Pete Art Exhibit & Contest, at which prizes will be awarded and an image will be chosen to represent this year's festival in merchandise and promotions.

Come OUT St. Pete and curator John Gascot invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for the upcoming pop up exhibit, Come OUT St. Pete. Artists may submit up to 5 quality images (at least 500 x 500 and no larger than 1000 x 1000 pixels) of available works. Each entry should measure no less than 8x8" and no more than 30x40". First Place winner agrees to grant Come OUT St. Pete copyright of winning image for use in merchandise and promotion of the festival. Artists must be able to provide high quality 300dpi image of their submission to be considered for prizes as 1st place will be printed on merchandise and promo materials. Note: While submissions should translate well to print and keep in mind the theme of Come OUT St. Pete and what it promotes, this is not a logo contest.

The Come OUT St. Pete Art Exhibit & Contest will take place on Friday, September 15, 6-9pm at E.P.I.C. ASAP Campus, St. Pete.

Prizes:
(18 yrs and over):
1st Place- $500 in cash and prizes and inclusion in Come OUT St. Pete 2017 Merchandise.
2nd Place- $150 in cash and prizes.
3rd Place- $75 in cash and prizes.

Young Artist Award (under 18 yrs)- $150 in cash and prizes.

Jurors:
Carla Bristol, gallerist and curator at Gallerie 909
John Gascot, Artist, curator and gallery coordinator at Studios at 5663
Jim Woodfield, Artist and owner of Woodfield Fine Art Gallery


Please  submit images along with Title/Medium/Size information for each to jgascot@gascot.com

Submission deadline: Wednesday, August 27, 2017
Acceptance emails will be sent by Thursday August 31, 2017.
Delivery of accepted artworks: Tuesday Sept 5 & Wednesday Sept 6, 10-6pm (details in acceptance email)
Commission split on sold works is 30% to event organizers/70% to the artist.

If you wish to receive email notifications about future artist calls or if you are submitting for this one please join the Artist Call email list via the link below.

 http://eepurl.com/bIofsz

Best of the Bay Award Nominations

Dear Boys & Girls, Ladies & Gents,

The time is here to make your suggestions for this year's Best of the Bay [http://www.cltampa.com/botb2017] nominations. You can do so from any location!

If you enjoy what I create, express, and how I engage with the community through art programming, please consider nominating me for any or all of the following Arts & Entertainment categories:

Best Visual Artist
Best Visual Arts Curator
Best Artist CL Doesn't Cover

Just enter my first and last name, John Gascot, into the nomination slot(s) here [http://local.cltampa.com/vote/59369f9335ab46c46f0e0e1f/59369fcb35ab46c46f0e0e33] and voila!

Also, please consider nominating The Studios @ 5663 for Best Art Gallery (non-museum).

Thank you all so very much!

Best Weekend Ever

How is it that on a Monday I have rolled out of bed, achy, exhausted and worn out yet smiling from ear to ear; invigorated and fueled with excitement?
I blame the best weekend ever.

I don't usually make a huge deal of my birthday, however, this year I decided, back in January upon moving into my new art studio, that I would like to celebrate it by throwing myself a Grand Opening. Some dear long time friends from all over the country made travel arrangements to join us for the occasion. It was a plan.
In the interim, we juried 5 artists into our studio complex. With over half the available studios occupied it the event took a life of its own and it made perfect sense to plan for a Studios @ 5663 Grand Opening. And so we did.

We worked hard at promoting the event. Our director of Cultural Affairs, Debra Rose and I gave many a tour of the studios and developing Pinellas Arts Village. Our studio artists spread the word and so did their friends and their friends' friends and so on. We did television and newspaper interviews. We spread invitations around town and blasted the news on social media. But as anyone with any experience planning an art opening or event knows, there is no guarantee when it comes to attendance.

Because nothing I ever do ever seems to go off without some sort of glitch, I arrived at the studios Saturday afternoon in time to let the caterers in to discover our building had no electric power.
Don't panic, John. Don't panic.
The electric company predicted the issue would be resolved by 6:30pm. Our event was to begin at 6:00pm, of course. I watched nervously as early arrivals began to gather outside of our doors. Not only did we have no lights with which to SEE the art, it was now beginning to warm up inside. We are in Florida, after all.

As 6 o'clock struck, we had no choice but to open up and apologetically welcome guests into the building. "There is electricity next door, so if you'd like to check out their collection first and then come back...we will have live music as well...he he." People seemed undaunted by the conditions at hand. They had heard the buzz about our little growing artist village and wanted to be a part of it. It isn't every day you see visitors so determined to see art that they provide their own lighting. This was the case, exactly, as person after person switched their cell phones to "flashlight" and began illuminating our walls. This community seemed ready to receive what we came to offer.

The final outcome of the Studios @ 5663 Grand Opening exceeded every expectation and hope I had. My night was officially made when word reached me that our parking lot was full and people were having to park on side streets. What?? We had a full and happy-to-be-there house! The positivity was palpable. Visitors spent time with the art and engaged with the artists. They are invested in what is here and what is still to come. That is all the validation and assurance that we are moving in the right direction we need.

I want to thank my fellow Studios @ 5663 artists Kim Alderman, Bob Canning, Linda Costa-Cheranichit, Loy Khambay-Correa and Isis Navarro as well as Debra Rose, Directors of Cultural Affairs for the city of Pinellas Park for all of their hard work and support. It is invigorating and empowering, sharing common visions and goals for the Pinellas Arts Village. I would also like to thank the city and community who have rallied behind us. The Pinellas Arts Village and creative district is an investment from which we assure you will see many returns.

As Seen on TV

Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria, St. Pete invites local artists to submit entries for its upcoming exhibit As Seen on TV. 

The show will feature works exploring the theme of television and the imagery it may conjure (television sets, shows, commercials...so many possibilities!). You may submit up to 5 quality images (at least 500x500 and no larger than 1000x1000 pixels) of available works. Each entry should measure no smaller than 8" x 8" and no larger than 30" x 40". All work must be properly wired and ready to hang on a display system upon delivery (no sawtooth hangers, wire only, please).

As Seen on TV will run from February 8th through April 3rd 2016. Commission split is 25%, with 75% to the artist. Please submit images along with Title/Medium/Size info for each to: jgascot@gascot.com
Submission deadline: Monday, February 1st.

Acceptance emails will be sent by Wednesday, February 3rd. 

All accepted works must be delivered on Sunday, February, 6:00 pm.

If you wish to receive email notifications about future artist calls please join the Artist Call email list via this link:

 http://eepurl.com/bIofsz

Carmada

Find me at Carmada 2015 on the lawn of the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Fl on Saturday, September 26th. Armada will feature more than a dozen custom art cars on display, live vehicle painting, free family craft projects, music and a rockin' St. Pete Indie Market.

St. Pete Pride is Just a Week Away!

Pride Colored Glasses, mixed media on canvas panel, 5" x 7"

Saint Pete Pride is the largest Pride celebration in the entire state of Florida. If you are in town for the  festivities please be sure to visit my Latin Pop Shop booth between 22nd and 23rd streets on Central Avenue (directly across from the LGBT Welcome Center). I will be holding an art giveaway and every purchase will receive a free linocut print (will supplies last). There will also be a carnival-style photo stand free for the public to enjoy!

See you there!

Fruity

Fruity, mixed media on canvas, 10" x 20"

Same Love

Same Love, acrylic on canvas panel, 5" x 7", available from Latin Pop Shop on Etsy

Woman and Man

Wondering what gift to get an artist in your life? Here's an awesome idea. For my birthday my bestie MG Stout gave me an entry to Graphi-ko Gallery/ Jewelry's upcoming Get Naked show! Join us on June 13th 3-9pm for the opening (and you could vote for my piece, if you like :-D). Here it is:

Woman and Man, acrylic on canvas, 14" x 17"

St. Pete Pride...Making History

Here is my entry for the 2015 St. Pete Pride poster contest. The theme this year is "Making History". I opted to "gay-up" some iconic historical figures a bit. It is not commentary on their sexuality but more an implication of parade participants celebrating our history and strides with colorful individuality. In the background you can see St. Pete's beautiful Don Cesar Hotel. This is a nod to St. Pete's history and its historic architecture. I carried the theme of the city's history with the brick street in the foreground, a nod to historic (and very gay) Kenwood.
St. Pete is part of the sun coast region, known for beautiful sunsets. The sun represents the passing of time and the promise of a new day. Our area is also well known for its gorgeous blue/green beaches so clearly they needed to be a part of this image. Finally, I included an image of the Constitution with the words "We the People" written in rainbow-colored letters.

I hope this image appeals to the Pride panel. I had a great time creating it.

Making History, acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"