The Firehouse Arts Center invites Bay Area artists to apply for a solo exhibition in the lobby. With two combined grand wall spaces open for six to eight week-long exhibitions, all artists with a body of artwork are encouraged to complete an interest form, especially those whose works celebrate the following heritage months.
- February: Black History Month / Lunar New Year
- March: Women’s History Month
- May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- June: Pride Month
- September-October: Hispanic Heritage Month
- November: Native American Heritage Month / Diwali
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR PROSPECTIVE EXHIBITING ARTISTS AT THE FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER LOBBY
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- Interested artists must be able to hand-deliver their work to the Firehouse Arts Center to be considered.
- Artists under the age of 18 will need to have a parent or legal guardian represent them.
- No shipping will be offered, and artists must be willing to cover shipping costs for non-local buyers.
- All work must be original (no prints or giclees) and be available for sale. Works listed as Not for Sale (NFS) will not be considered.
- Artist must have 10 – 15 artworks to fill the space. The lobby walls are high so larger dimensions are highly recommended.
- All work must be installation ready; two-dimensional work must be framed or prepared and ready for hanging according to the following requirements.
- Flat D-ring hardware with an opening 3/16” or larger, placed 1/4 of the way from top.
- Artwork must be wired, wire must not be visible at top of the frame.
- NO saw-tooth hangers or protruding screw eyes will be accepted.
- Damaged, cracked, wet or ill-prepared works, or work with unstable frames, will not be accepted. Works with unprotected surfaces that smear or damage easily will not be accepted.
- Work must be clean, frames in good condition, Plexiglas preferred.
- Unframed canvas must have gallery wrapped sides.
- No wet paintings.
- Photography must be matted and framed, no prints on canvas.
- Photography prints on metal allowed but must be wired as specified above.
- All work must be labeled with artist’s name, title, medium, price, and phone number
- Size of finished work not to exceed 4 feet in any direction including frame.
- Larger works including works over 30 pounds, 4-feet by 4-feet in dimension, or require special handling must be cleared with staff ahead of delivery.
- Artwork not adequately prepared or formatted according to instructions will not be included in the exhibition. Exhibitor’s fee will not be reimbursed.
- Please Note:
- Although your work may have great potential for exhibition, the lobby schedule is planned approximately one year in advance, so there may not be immediate openings. However, we will keep your information on file in the event of a vacancy.
- Due to sheer volume, response to your interest form may take a few weeks. We will notify you if we can include your work in an upcoming exhibition or if we cannot accommodate it.
SALES
Unless otherwise specified, works will be considered for sale at the price indicated and 30% of the selling price will be retained by the City of Pleasanton. In the event of a sale, the artist must complete and return a W-9 form, required by the City of Pleasanton in order to pay the artist’s commission.
FEES
- There is a nominal exhibitor’s fee for each exhibition at the gallery, which helps cover cost of promotion, installation, insurance, and upkeep of the exhibition space. Contact harringtongallery@cityofpleasantonca.gov for further information on specific fees.
WORK REMOVAL
- All work must remain for the entire exhibition, no early removal.
- Work must be removed at time designated on entry form or artist contract. There is no storage space at the facility; therefore, late pick-up penalty fees may apply. Artists may designate someone to pick their work up if they cannot do so; appointed person must show identification, artwork claim check, or a note or email from the artist.
CURATORIAL DISCRETION
- Artwork is prescreened and evaluated by gallery curator and staff based on artistic merit, quality, and originality, treatment of subject matter, craftsmanship, professional presentation, and relationship to the particular theme or subject matter of an upcoming exhibition.
- The City of Pleasanton reserves the right of final selection of all artwork to be displayed in City venues and facilities. Exhibit location of each work of art displayed within the facility is also at the City’s discretion.
Note: The City of Pleasanton discourages artwork entries that include significant elements of sexually explicit, overtly political or religious imagery and content, graphic depiction of violence, or profanity.
