Urban Arts Space is excited to announce the theme for March’s Artist Commune: Portable Paradise. We invite artists to radically explore the idea of paradise in a pop-up exhibition. Questions that shape this theme: Who are the architects of Paradise? Who is on the margins in dominant ideas of Paradise? Who is invited? Who gets the authority to name what Paradise is like? How do you get there? Shaped but not limited by these questions, we’re asking artists to create work that engages the metaphysical, tangible, and personal to re-imagine Paradise.
The objective of this exhibition is to showcase a diverse range of interpretations of Paradise through various artistic mediums. We aim to create a space that challenges the way our unique identities and socioeconomic positions shape our concept of Paradise.
Submissions for the pop-up exhibition are now closed.
Inspirational Quotes:
"In my mind’s eye I see this place…" - Tupac
"Here, not heaven not earth…" - Danez Smith
"We earned this paradise by a death we didn’t deserve…" - Danez Smith
"What is the job of paradise…?" - Roger Robinson
"...Make earth feel like paradise" - Roger Robinson
"Black girl be quiet in a bubble…floating quietly out of trouble" - Jamila Woods
Artistic Mediums include but are not limited to:
– Painting
– Spoken Word
– Poetry
– Photography
– Sculpture and Installation Art
– Design
– Performance
– Theater and Film
– Video & New Media Art
Submission Criteria:
– Ensure your artwork is consistent with the themes of Portable Paradise.
– Artwork should be ready to be installed, including framing and any necessary hanging equipment.
– Artists must sign an artwork liability waiver form along with their submission.
Timeline:
March 13, 2024: Submission Deadline
March 15, 2024: Approvals—selected artists will be notified
March 18 - 22, 2024: Art Drop-off Deadline
March 29, 2024, 6:30–8:30 PM: “Portable Paradise” Opening Reception
March 29–April 5, 2024: Exhibition Dates at Urban Arts Space
April 5, 2024, 7–9 PM: “Portable Paradise: A Poetry Celebration with Roger Robinson, Ajanaé Dawkins, & Cynthia Amoah”
April 6, 2024: Art Pick-Up Deadline
Artist Commune is a recurring event hosted by Urban Arts Space that allows artists and the community to come together to create art, discuss art, and network.
