Baltimore Jewelry Center Graduate Show
Call for entry
Since 2014, the BJC has served the contemporary jewelry and metals field in myriad ways, including through our gallery space where we have hosted 58 exhibitions. On the eve of our tenth anniversary, we are excited to launch a new annual exhibition: the Baltimore Jewelry Center Graduate Show.
This exhibition will feature the work of emerging jewelers and metalsmiths as they complete their formal education while also acting as an archive and spotlight for the work being created by recent graduates. The goal of this annual exhibition is to highlight the work that is being produced by graduating jewelers and metalsmiths using an open and inclusive framework, with the desire to capture the depth and breadth of what is currently being created in the field.
Qualifications for Application:
Applicants must have graduated in 2024 with a BFA, MFA, or Certificate
Artists must submit work made between 2022 and 2024 that can exist on the body or that is small sculpture (no larger than 12” in any dimension)
Instructions:
To participate, each applicant should:
submit images of 3 pieces of their work made between 2022 and 2024. Given the constraints of our physical gallery space and our desire to be as inclusive as possible, submitted works should be pieces that can exist on the body or small sculptures no larger than 12 inches in any dimension. BJC Gallery layout for reference
submit a written statement (no more than 250 words/1250 characters) that briefly describes their artistic practice and the concepts, processes, and material choices that are reflected in the collection of work they’ve submitted
complete this form by 11:59 pm May 31, 2024 and pay a $25 application fee. Payment can be sent directly to the BJC through PayPal.
Selected works will be displayed at the Baltimore Jewelry Center Graduate Show from August 2 - September 27, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed by the Baltimore Jewelry Center’s Exhibitions Committee which is made up of a mix of artists and BJC Staff including:
Allison Gulick
April Wood
Elliot Keeley
Emily Culver
Jennifer Moore
Katja Toporski
Mary Fissell
Nuohan Jiang
Shane Prada
Important Dates:
May 31, 2024: Application Deadline
June 24, 2024: Application Response
July 24, 2024: Accepted Pieces Due to the BJC
August 2, 2024: Exhibition Opening
August 2 - September 27, 2024: Exhibition Duration
Award: One piece will be chosen as best in show. The artist selected will be awarded a one-month emerging artist residency with the BJC. The timing of the residency will be decided on between the awarded artist and the BJC.
What does the one-month emerging resident artist receive as part of their residency?
Access to our fully equipped studio (which is open 59/hours a week)
Housing in an apartment that is walking distance to the BJC
$500 stipend
Mentorship and support provided by Baltimore Jewelry Center faculty
The resident will share the results of their residency through a pop-up exhibition and an artist talk
more details can be found here
If you have any questions please email bjcexhibitions@gmail.com
Transforming the Prototype: 2
CALL FOR ENTRY
Baltimore Jewelry Center, Montgomery College, and Towson University invite students, alumni, emerging and established artists to apply for the second edition of the group exhibition, Transforming the Prototype. Participants are asked to reimagine a selection of traditional waxes by radically altering provided vintage wax patterns. Participants will receive a collection of waxes (rings, pendants, parts and pieces) which they will transform through additive or subtractive processes. The objective is to radically reimagine the prototype wax pattern into a bespoke object(s) or jewelry. Participants can integrate new components using wax and have the new jewelry/object cast; have the waxes cast as is and alter it with soldering, sawing, adding stones, etc. or a combination of these processes.
Participants are responsible for casting. They can do this through taking a casting course at one of the participating institutions or using an outside casting house, like Hoover & Strong (North Chesterfield, VA), Liberty Jewelry Manufacturing Company (Timonium, MD), International Manufacturing Company (Philadelphia, PA), Carrera Casting (New York, NY). Those with casting experience can cast at the BJC: Studio rental is $13/hour; for investing time it’s $26/hour. No charge for burnout.
Instructions:
To participate, interested artists should complete this form by February 22nd and pay a $10 fee (to cover the cost of the wax and shipping). Payment can be sent directly to the BJC through paypal (info@baltimorejewelrycenter.org). Participants will receive a bundle of wax models/pieces. Once participants receive their waxes, they proceed with their chosen processes. When the piece is finished, participants may submit it with an application fee of $25 to be considered for an exhibition that will be hosted by the Baltimore Jewelry Center from May 31-July 16, 2024. The deadline for the exhibition application is 11:59 pm on May 1st, 2024.
This year, the Transforming the Prototype exhibition will feature cash prizes for artist works selected by juror Mary Hallam Pearse
If you have any questions please email info@baltimorejewelrycenter.org (please note that a sample of the wax collection is featured at the end of this form; it does not represent exactly the content or quantity that each artist will receive)
Important Dates:
February 22nd: Wax Request form due
March 11th: Waxes shipped
May 1st: Application deadline
May 6th: Notifications sent
Work arrives by May 20th
May 31st: Opening
To apply to the Transforming the Protoype: 2 Exhibition please follow the button below to our ArtCall application.
FAQ
About the Baltimore Jewelry Center
The Baltimore Jewelry Center is a 501c3 educational nonprofit building a vibrant creative community for the study and practice of metalworking for new and established artists. We offer classes, workshops, and studio space rental to anyone with an interest in contemporary jewelry and metalsmithing. In addition to our education program, the Baltimore Jewelry Center helps metal and jewelry artists grow sustainable business practices by offering professional development, sales opportunities, and a promotional platform.
Our exhibitions program is a robust component of the Baltimore Jewelry Center and supplements the education we provide to our students and community. Through exhibitions that showcase national and international artists in the art jewelry and metals field we offer students an up close and personal view of the innovations and freshness happening in the field at large.
What does my entry fee support?
The Baltimore Jewelry Center is a 501c3 educational nonprofit with a small staff and budget. Entry fees cover:
Administrative costs associated with the gallery
Promotional/print materials
Exhibition install and display materials
Shipping and insurance
Opening reception costs
Packaging
The Artist agrees to provide suitable/durable wrapping, boxing material, and wrapping/boxing instructions for the transport and storage of their work to the Baltimore Jewelry Center.
Submission Guidelines:
Please email images, completed entry forms and any other requested materials to bjcexhibitions@gmail.com with the exhibition title in the subject line.
Entry fees must be made via PayPal (make payment to bjcexhibitions@gmail.com). Applications will not be reviewed until the entry fee has been paid in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Image Guidelines:
Please send jpeg images only. Images should be 300dpi, and approximately 4x6 inches. You may include one detail image of each piece submitted.
Please label each image with your last name, first name, and title. See example below: