March 1st The Helm will be having its first Juried showing of local work. We hope for the show to function as a strong indicator of what is currently happening in the Tacoma visual arts and design community. Work will be accepted in any medium, including video, installation and performance. We seek a wide range of sensibilities and styles. Conceptuals, folkies, scribblers, jewelers, bedroom artists, typographers, blasphemers etc… please show us what you are working on. Our jury will not be mean or dismissive and will offer constructive criticism to all rejected submissions. The deadline for submissions is February 25th but artists are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Submissions are also free, meaning you have nothing to lose.

SUBMISSIONS

Submissions are limited to three pieces per artist. Images of work can be sent to thehelmgallery@gmail.com. Please include a brief statement about your artwork and what it means to you. Submissions for work that is not quite finished/installation/performance can be explained with sketches and writing. Artists who do not own computers can bring in work samples to The Helm. Our open hours are Thursday through Saturday 12-6PM but change during installation weeks. If possible try to make your submissions online.

INSTALLATION

The submission period will end on Monday, February 25th. Tuesday morning we will start the install. We plan to have a very interesting presentation for the show. We will coordinate work drop off times with each artist individually. Installation artists will be given any time they need in the space putting their presentation together.

WORK SALES

The Helm encourages you to price your work for this show as we are funding the show with any commission from sales. Our normal commission rate is 50%, but we will be reducing our take to 30% for this show to benefit local artists. If you are not comfortable selling your work that is OK. We understand any discomfort/disinterest involved with selling work. If you would like help pricing your work please let us know.

PRIZES

Small and humorous prizes will be awarded in a number of areas, including:

Best of Show
2nd Best in Show
3rd Best in Show
Most Innovative
Color Master
Composition Master
Most Seamless Design

Please feel free to email us with any questions you may have.