February 24, 2024

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Fishers Make-Off 2024

Sustainable environment Beach sculpture protest by the U.N Made using plastic bottles

Showcasing the variety of wonderful, artful things a person can create in our makerspace, Ignite Studio hosts its first annual Make-Off. Selected artists will compete for monetary prizes to make an original piece of art related to Ignite equipment, kits or other in-house materials. Artists are challenged to highlight the creative possibilities involved in making and will be given up to six hours to complete their masterpiece. Non-participants will be able to watch the artistic process at work, participate in hands-on activities, and watch equipment demonstrations. This year’s theme is sustainable art. Read on for learn more about our call for artists, Fishers Make-Off 2024.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Fishers Make-Off 2024

Artists will spend the day in the Ignite Studio creating a work of art from on May 4 from 9:00 to 3 pm.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: APRIL 10

Prizes to be awarded:

  • 1st: $1500
  • 2nd: $750
  • 3rd: $500

Schedule:

  • 9:00 Competition begins
  • 11:30-1:30 Boxed lunches provided for artists
  • 3:00 Competition ends
  • 3:00-3:30 Judging
  • 3:30 Awards

Entry: Interested visual artists should submit an application. Entrants must be 16 or older. 10 artists will be chosen to compete and assigned an area in the space.

Materials: Materials must relate to an Ignite kit, equipment or other art making materials in the space. Artists may request to use small tools and equipment such as our printing press, silkscreens, sewing machines, cinch machine, etc., but the main materials should be supplied by the artist.

Subject: The work must relate to the theme of sustainability. The work must be appropriate for public presentation in a family-friendly space.

Theme: Sustainable art

Sustainable art involves awareness of environmental issues, such as the materials artists use to create their works, reducing waste, and adopting practices that can reduce the impact of their work on the environment.

 

Two people stand next to a life size elephant made entirely from cardboard.

Carboard Elephant by Nituniyo

Materials to consider: 

  • Reclaimed wood, paper, fabric, cardboard, magazines
  • Eco-friendly paints, inks, dyes
  • Recycled metal
  • Biodegradable and plant-based plastic alternatives
  • Organic textiles like cotton, hemp, linen, wool
  • Natural and discarded objects
  • Reusing and retaining some original elements in a ‘found’ canvas

Competition Guidelines:

  • No prior work is allowed. Work must be completed between 9-3pm.
  • 2-Dimensional work includes painting, drawing, photography, printmaking and most textiles, pyrography
  • 3-Dimensional work includes assemblage, sculptures, weaving, jewelry, knitting, book binding, needle felting

Judging: Winners will be selected by a panel including past and current Makers-in-Residence.

Display: All work will be on display from May 6th to June 15th

A gold frame surrounds a canvas painted with the phrase "15 Minutes."

15 Minutes by Wayne White, Repurposed Canvas and Frame with painted phrase

Contact Kris Hurst, Arts Engagement Coordinator, hurstk@hepl.lib.in.us with questions.