Hayes Valley Art Works Seeks Artists Submissions for Upcoming Group Show

Artist Submissions Wanted

Hayes Valley Art Works (HVAW) seeks submissions of new or existing work for our upcoming juried show, Present Ground.  HVAW is excited to announce that it will be curated by a guest curator, Samantha Reynolds. Present Ground will be on view from Saturday, October 1 through Saturday, November 5, 2016.

Present Ground will focus on artworks that respond, engage and/or react to the site of the largest and mainly outdoor, undeveloped art space in San Francisco, Hayes Valley Art Works. Any forms of media will be accepted. There is a gallery on-site that caters to 2D works, as well as available outdoor space for large (or small) installations. The exhibition encourages site-specific installations, performances, participatory works as well as works that can exist in the natural environment. Designated as a community creation space, HVAW is a place to come together to discuss, learn, teach, share and express artistic vision for the betterment of the neighborhood.

The physical site of HVAW has had multiple histories and roles. With the removal of the central freeway in the late 1990s and remodel of Octavia Boulevard within the last decade, the site was left uninhabited. Designated currently by the city of San Francisco as a temporary art and community space, the site will next be turned into low-income housing in the coming years. Constantly evolving, the narrative of the site continues.

If this ground could speak, what would it say? Would it be wounded? Rejuvenated? The intention of Present Ground is to call attention the unending, evolving nature and impact of the physical site as it moves into the future and as a recognition of the repurposing of space that has created multiple stories, histories and narratives left imprinted in the dirt. This open call is looking for work that can directly respond to the site at its present moment in time.

About the Curator

The guest curator, Samantha Reynolds, is an emerging curator working and living in the Bay Area. Prior to moving to San Francisco, she worked on a number of solo projects to curate public spaces while receiving her master’s at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Arts Administration & Policy. During this time, Reynolds worked as the Curatorial Fellow at Hyde Park Art Center where she curated and organized the public programming for a number of exhibitions and residency projects. Directly following this position, she then worked as the Interim Residency Manager. Her curatorial practice focuses on experimental and emerging artist practices. Reynolds currently works at Pro Arts in Oakland as the Gallery Manager.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying to be a part of the show, we encourage you to visit the site in person. HVAW is open Friday through Monday , from 12 – 5pm. The guest curator, Samantha Reynolds is also happy to meet anyone to walk through the site or answer questions via email or phone.

The submission deadline is midnight Saturday, August 27: https://hayesvalleyartworks.submittable.com/submit/63085

Please share this call for submissions to friends who might be a good fit! This is an excellent public installation opportunity for those looking to exhibit their work within the city.

Location & Hours

Hayes Valley Art Works is located at the corner of Fell St. and Laguna and is open every day except Tuesdays from noon to 5 pm.