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

About the Fucking Cake...

About the fucking #cake...
Do you believe a business should be able to refuse a wedding cake to an interracial couple? Because bigots find race-mixing offensive and against their "beliefs".
Staples prints church materials, it doesn't make them a Christian business. I painted a mural for a church in VA. I'm an atheist. If you're a baker, baking a cake doesn't endorse anything. Do you think your bakery gives a shit about your birthday? They're not pro-(insert your name here), dumbass. They just bake cakes.
It's not about the goddamned cake. If you don't want to serve someone you might not agree with then don't go into the fucking service industry. It's really that simple.

Call to Artists: Trans Hub Fundraising Auction

Dear Artists,
Local businessman and Trans-activist Andrew Citino and I are organizing a fundraiser for the development of the Trans Hub, a resource site for the Tampa Bay Trans community. It will contain listings of professional and personal services such as Trans-friendly healthcare providers, businesses, events, education and opportunities.
I oversee the curating and organizing a silent auction for the event. We seek artworks which vary in style and price range.
Participating artists will receive payback of 50% of the auction selling price. Those who wish may donate a higher percentage.
The fundraiser will take place in January of 2018 at Freefall Theatre in St. Petersburg. It will include a screening of the documentary The Death and Lifeof Marsha P. Johnson as well as food and drink.
If you are interested in participating please submit up to 3 quality images of available works. Please include Title/Medium/Size info for each as well as what percentage of the auction selling price you wish to donate to: jgascot@gascot.com

Deadline: December 20, 2017

About Trans Hub:
We are local trans community leaders who saw a great need to develop a sustainable mechanism to share resources and events relevant to the Tampa Bay transgender community. We named it The Trans Hub because we envision an all-access website that provides professional and personal resources, education, event info, and opportunities to volunteer - a hub of information for the trans community.

The Trans Hub is continuing to raise funds to hire a professional web designer. Because this website will provide an integral resource to our trans community, it requires an expert who will work with us to ensure a product that is state-of-the-art, user friendly, interactive, fully accessible and robust. The Trans Hub will be a resource that does not currently exist in Tampa Bay and is desperately needed.

Diversion or Threat?

There's much talk of "diversion" regarding the president's military trans ban (and Session's attack on our civil rights). Diversions they very well may be, but don't be fooled or try to fool your LGBTQ friends and family (no matter how kind your intentions) into thinking that a diversion cannot also be a grave threat on our communities. Whether or not Trump's declarations come to fruition, the Child-in-Charge knows very well his words carry tremendous weight. Each shameful tweet sets into motion a series of event among cowardly sheeple who hate from the sidelines, just waiting for the word "GO".

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

Mother Liberty

Mother Liberty, acrylic and ink on canvas, 12" x 24"

Love Outside the Lines T-Shirts Now Available!

CLICK HERE to get yours!

Love Outside the Lines

Love Outside the Lines, acrylic on canvas, 8" x 10"

Call for Art: For the Boys

The Cider Press Cafe, St. Pete and curator John Gascot invite Tampa Bay artists to submit entries for their upcoming exhibit For the Boys. 

This group exhibit will feature artworks by gay, bisexual, trans and queer male artists. While open-themed, it will include expressions and depictions celebrating LGBTQ Pride, equality and the gay male experience. Eligible Tampa bay area artists may submit up to 10 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.

For the Boys will run from May 14, 2017 through June 30th, 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: Sunday, April 30.

Acceptance emails will be sent by Friday, May 5.

All accepted works must be delivered on Saturday, May 13, 11 am.

An opening reception for this exhibit will be held on Saturday, May 20, 6-9pm.

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

And the Nominees Are...

I'm thrilled to say I've been nominated for a Favorite Local LGBT Artist at this year's WAVE Awards.
Sooo...if I'm your favorite Tampa Bay area artist, or just the gayest you know you know what to do! Your vote is so very very very appreciated.

Vote here: http://www.watermarkonline.com/2017/01/01/2017-watermark-wave-awards-tampa-baysarasota/

Partnership with NOMAD for LGBTQ (+ Ally) Youth

I am honored to partner up with NOMAD Art Bus for this upcoming project.

In the Spring of 2017 I will lead alongside co-lead NOMAD instructor artist Sara Norine James a group of approximately 10 LGBTQ Youths on a 5-week expressive arts program. The workshop will take place at Studios at 5663. For the first 4 weeks Sara and I will provide instruction and guidance as the students create stylized self-portraits. All creative decisions will be made by the students.
On the fifth week an exhibit and opening reception celebrating the youth participants and their works will be held at COVE, where artist Derek Donnelly and Public Art Project will graciously provide gallery space. This will be the first (of hopefully many) artist-led programs directly impacting and benefiting immediate and neighboring youth and community held at the Pinellas Arts Village.

-10 student participants, ages 12-18 per session (approximately)

-Two teaching artists

-One 2hr session per week

-Five week session (1-4 instruction/creative and week 5 exhibit/reception)

Workshop Schedule:
Instruction/Creative
Thursday March 23, 6-8pm
Thursday March 30, 6-8pm
Thursday April 6, 6-8pm
Thursday April 13, 6-8pm

Gallery Exhibit/Opening Reception
Saturday April 22, 3-6pm 

There is no cost to participants. All materials, instruction and guidance as well as artist reception will be provided. This project aims at facilitating free expression, confidence and self-esteem. The workshops provide a safe environment for creative social interaction and sharing.

Project contacts:
John Gascot, jgascot@gascot.com
Sara Norine James, saranorine@gmail.com

The Best Worst Year of My Life

Of my 44 years on this earth this past one has undoubtedly been the most bizarre...and fruitful...and confusing...and disturbing...and wonderful?

In January I moved into my current art studio in an office suite turned art venue in what is now known as the Pinellas Arts Village. I became Gallery Coordinator for Studios at 5663 and began serving on the Artist Selection Committee for the arts district. In the meantime I took on curating the art and artists for a few venues on site and in downtown Saint Pete. I applied for my first ever artist grant. I was not awarded it, but learned a great deal in the process and have already applied for next year's round. I began volunteering, leading groups of LGBTQ Youth in expressive art sessions.

Musical genius and iconic creative Prince died, leaving me and so many stunned with shock and to learn a new kind of mourning many of us were perhaps unfamiliar with...that of someone we never actually knew. Prince's music, style and persona shaped so much of how I viewed life and what I aspired to do with it. His songs gave me permission to be me. They transcended gender or sexuality and made me feel one with the world. A day without Prince music in my studio is rare.
But Prince was not the only one taken from us in 2016. The deaths kept coming and many of them ruthlessly chipped away at the youths of us Gen-X'ers. Right up until these last few days, which took George Michael and Carrie Fisher. At times it seemed the year would not allow us to catch our collective breath.

This year's election barreled over us like a reckless tank, crushing everyone in its path, inciting blatant racism, misogyny, homophobia and xenophobia and tearing apart long-standing friendships as if they'd never mattered to begin with. Bernie Sanders filled the hearts of  Liberals like me with energetic hope for real change. We were saddened when he conceded but then many of us readied ourselves for another historic presidency...this time by a woman. Instead we witnessed a cartoon character of a contender who against all reason became our next President elect, leaving us with not an embarrassment of riches, but a richness of embarrassment.

But, politically speaking, many lessons were learned as well. I learned that some Liberals can be equally dismissive and hateful and that some Conservatives can step up to the plate and show kindness and respect...support, even. I ventured into many grey areas. At my favorite pub I stand before a giant confederate flag and sing along to old tunes and look upon a crowd of many colors, sexual identities and orientations. Yes, it can be confusing and I am hopeful the flag will someday be gone, but I know that I am welcome there. There's a pride flag there as well, on the door and not as large, but it is there. And there's drag bingo as well...as I said...confusing. It is a place in transition; a crossroads, of sorts. Grey areas are real.

This was the year homophobia and hate came to my door and into my home, literally. While not a "crime" technically, the cowardly anonymous hate letter my partner and I received invaded our privacy and the sanctity of our home. I have been the subject of disapproving stares and unkind words as well as exclusion due to living true to who I am...but I never had that hate follow me home and walk so effortlessly through my doorway.

If I knew who the small person who wrote the misinformed and misguided letter I would thank them today. I would, because if not for their bitter act we would not have come to know so many of our neighbors who stood beside us in support. From such ugliness, camaraderie and fellowship were born. Never will I keep quiet or cower in the face of hate.

This was also the year I was selected to showcase my work at an event for an internationally renowned museum and painted my first (of I hope many) mural in the city of St. Pete. But among all of the good that out-weighed the bad and weird one cannot be surpassed. 2016 was the year when I said "I do." before close friends and family to the love of my life. It only took us nearly 20 years...but I would wait another 20 if I had to. No amount of celebrity deaths or orange imbeciles winning the White House could overshadow making a life commitment to one's soulmate and knowing that while many may still disagree, our union is legally binding and recognized the same as any other.

The year twenty thousand and sixteen taught me much about myself, what I can endure, overcome and achieve. It also showed me that kindness and joy is abound in the oddest places, if you bother to look. All in all 2016 was a mixed bag of treasures and turds. Here's lookin' at ya, 2017!

Call for Art- Equality FL Gala Held at St. Pete

2017 Equality FL Gala held at St. Pete Juried Auction
The Equality FL Gala held at St. Pete auction committee is seeking artists to participate in its annual Juried Silent Art Auction Exhibit as part of Equality FL St. Pete’s annual fundraising gala. The Silent Auction shines a spotlight on Florida’s diverse and talented LGBTQ and Ally visual arts community at this important event. The Equality FL Gala held at St. Pete is our largest fundraiser of the year. By bringing artists, their works and buyers together for a spirited evening of bidding and showcasing fine art, this event aims to benefit both Equality FL’s mission and donors.
All 2-D, 3-D, and fine craft artists, 18 years or older are eligible to submit. Deadline for submissions is February 15, 2017. 2D works should be singular (1 hung panel). Limit of three high-resolution image submissions per entrant.
Visual artists working in all styles and media are invited to apply, including painters, sculptors, ceramicists, fiber artists, jewelers, and photographers. Works will be selected by a jury panel of art professionals who may also invite artists who are eligible to participate.
This year’s 20 Year Anniversary Celebration will be held at the magnificent Mahaffey Theatre on Saturday, April 15, 2017 from 7pm. The Silent Auction exhibit will be presented in the Grand Ballroom of the Mahaffey Theatre. As in previous years, sold-out attendance is expected. Artists donating juried works valued at $250 or greater may choose to be compensated with 2 Gala tickets ($250 value) or receive up to 30% back on the final price paid.

Jurors:
Cory Allen- Gallerist and public relations for fine art and entertainment. www.cacanet.com
John Gascot- Auction coordinator, curator, painter and workshop leader. www.gascot.com
Sara Norine- Fiber artist, photographer and workshop leader. www.saranorine.com

Display:
All artworks must be securely mounted and ready for display as follows:
-Three-dimensional artworks must be stable or securely mounted to a free-standing base.
-Artworks on paper must be framed under glass or Plexiglas.
-All wall-hung pieces must be ready to hang with secured, closed eyehooks and wiring.

Application Deadline: February 19, 2017

Acceptance Notifications: February 25, 2017

Delivery/Collection: by April 10, 2017. Artists outside the Tampa Bay region are responsible for shipping to the Equality FL St. Pete offices Attn: John Gascot, Auction Coordinator via signature required delivery confirmation method. Shipped works must arrive in a substantial, reusable container and a prepaid return shipping label. The Auction Committee will not be responsible for damage to artwork due to insufficient packing material or container if returning artwork as it was originally shipped. Artists will be notified immediately of work that arrives damaged. While all reasonable efforts will be made to protect consigned works from accidental damage or breakage, Artist agrees to consign work at their own risk. Artist may insure their work at their own discretion.

Annual Gala and Auction Date: April 15, 2017, Mahaffey Theatre
Submission: Submit up to 3 high-resolution (at least 500x500 and no larger than 1000x1000 pixels) images of proposed artworks to jgascot@gascot.com

Support My LGBTQ Youth Expressive Art Program

I am an artist.

I am also a gay man. An OUT gay man. A married-to-another-guy out gay man.  A very FORTUNATE and GRATEFUL man.

As a kid I never dreamed I might be able to say those words. While we've come a long way in matters of LGBTQ awareness, tolerance and equality the sad reality is that we've not come nearly far enough. There are kids today who still cannot imagine saying those words. LGBTQ youth is still subject to ridicule, bullying and descrimination. 
As an artist and adult human member of the LGBTQ community I feel it is my responsibility to reach out and give back in the best way I know how...through art. Art saved and shaped my life and I believe it can do the same for others. It facilitates expression, confidence and self-esteem. The workshops provide a safe environment for creative social interaction and sharing.

I am volunteering my time to create an ongoing LGBTQ Youth Expressive Art Program (at NO COST to participants). I offer creative workshop sessions via a variety of venues which are easily accessible to participants. The program launches with my first workshop on 11/14/2016. In this early stage I am not only volunteering time but taking on the expense of art and creative materials as well. That is where you come in. 
I am just one guy doing his best to do his community and the world-at-large a solid. I too have pressing bills and other matters which demand my time, but believe passionately that investing in our youth sets into motion a whirlwind of positive change.

Your support will help provide materials like canvas, papers, paints, brushes and more. These are the tools which will empower the participants in my program. These are the tools with which they will grow, express...and conquer. 

Here I spell this wish out with utmost gratitude and set it out into the world with the great hope that it will raise the funds that will allow me to run this Expressive Arts program for its first year (now through the 2017 calendar year). 

Click the button below to donate.

Creativity and Kindness,
John Gascot