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Born in Evanston, Illinois, Connie Zehr received a BFA in sculpture at Ohio State University in 1960. She has created on-site ephemeral installations in museums and galleries nationally and internationally including: The Whitney Museum of American Art (New York City, NY); The Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago, IL); Pasadena Art Museum (Pasadena, CA); Taipei Fine Art Museum (Taipei, Taiwan); Salvatori Ala Galeria (Milan, Italy); Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford, CT); Newspace Gallery (Los Angeles, CA); and numerous university galleries.

In 1987, the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery in Barnsdall Park (Los Angeles, CA) mounted an 18 year retrospective exhibition where she recreated scaled down versions of six major sand installations in the 10,000 sq. ft. space. Ten years later, in the same space, she participated in an exhibition, “SENSUALITY IN THE ABSTRACT,” where she created three new installations (consecutively) over a three month period and exhibited the first “iris” prints relating to those installations.

She is included in “Sunshine Muse,” by Peter Plagens; “Originals,” by Eleanor Munro; and “L.A. Rising,” by Lynn Kienholz. Connie is an Emeritus Professor of Art at Claremont Graduate University where she taught in the art department from 1982-2009 and was Chairperson from 2001-2008. She now resides in New York.

State of the Art Gallery will host its first Members’ Show of 2011 in May. Members will exhibit paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, sculpture and other three-dimensional work. A reception will be held for the artists on Friday, May 6 from 5-8pm, also Gallery Night in downtown Ithaca. Show dates are May 4 through 29.

1.  Should my entries represent a particular kind of photographic approach?

No.  They may be traditionally or digitally produced and printed. There are no content, size or age specifications either.   Manipulations of the image are acceptable as long as they begin with a photographic process. Scanned images are acceptable.

2.  How much paperwork is there to fill out?

We have two forms.  The first is the Call for Entries that is published on the gallery web site about two months before the deadline for submissions and sent via e-mail to the gallery mailing list.   The second is an Exhibitors Agreement, a two part carbonless form on which the entrant gives us complete contact information, information about the work being submitted, the relevant dates during the show, and the agreement concerning the works between the gallery and the entrant.  That form is filled out when the entrant brings their work to the gallery with payment for their entry fee.  It may be filled out ahead of time but please bring two copies with your work.

3.  Why do you need three labels on each photograph submitted?

We do ask for three labels.  One must be permanently affixed to the back of the photograph and two temporarily affixed with tape to the edge of the frame so that they hang down over the front of the photograph.  The label on the back assures that we know the owner of the photograph when the show comes down. From the front, we take one of the labels to make our standard show wall labels. The second is used to make sure we place the right wall label with the correct photograph, then the second comes off as well.

4.  How many photographs from each entrant do you usually accept into the show?

It varies according to the jury.  There is no set rule.  Sometimes we take two, sometimes one and sometimes the jury decides that neither entry will be chosen for the show.  The jury strives to upgrade the quality of the show each year so there is no guarantee given to any entrant.

5.  Why should the work I submit be recent?

As we noted above, we try to make sure that each year the show represents the best work possible and not simply agree to show anything submitted.  The more current the work is, the more likely it will represent current photographic trends and practice.

6.  How much does presentation count when the jury looks at my work?

A lot!  Poor matting, framing or lack thereof can seriously diminish the chances of an image being chosen for the show.  In general, standard gallery approaches to matting and framing should be followed.  Narrow black,, wood an/ or metal frames are preferred that compliment the photograph while not dominating it.  Mats that are well proportioned in relationship to the photograph and frame help and allow the jury to focus on the photograph.  The photographs should be under glass or plexi-glass.  Non-colored mats are also preferred because they focus the attention on the photograph and not the mat.  Mats should extend on average from 1 1/2 to 3 inches from edge of the photograph to the edge of the frame. This is not a hard and fast rule, just a general acknowledgment of good presentation practice.  Frames need not be expensive, just simple, professional looking and complimentary of the work.  The work must be ready to hang which generally means a wire across the back or clearly identified devices from which to hang the work.  Finally, the jury reserves the right to turn down any submission that is not presented in a professional manner, exclusive of the content.

7.  Are your rules and deadlines for submission of work hard and fast?

Absolutely.  We accept no entries after published deadlines.  The jury begins it’s work very soon after the deadline for entries passes so it’s really not fair to those who manage to get their work in on time if we accept late entries.  Also, two entries means two entries.  Every year a few people try to convince us to take more than the allotted two entries.  We don’t.

8.  How does the jury and prize process work?

After all the entries are in, a panel of members from the gallery made up primarily of experienced photographers, decide what will be accepted for the show.  After the show is hung, a prize judge, selected from outside the membership of the gallery, looks at the show and she or he decides how the prize money will be awarded.  The prize judge is different each year. We try to find experienced, respected and successful photographers and/or teachers of photography and imaging arts in order to make the experience for the entrants a meaningful process.

9.  If my work is rejected an/or accepted does it diminish my chances for being accepted in future shows?

Absolutely not!  We encourage everyone to enter each year.  Being rejected is not an indication that your work will be rejected in future years nor does acceptance or winning a prize in a given year guarantee acceptance the following year or years.  Each year the jury may be different as is the prize judge. For many artists/photographers rejection from a given show can provide insight and creative stimulus to change and/or see a path for improvement in their work.  However, one should not change a direction if the belief in that work is strong and directed.  As we noted, a different jury in all likelihood may have different criteria for judging.

10.  Does it help if my work is for sale?

Yes!  It has no bearing on whether or not the work is accepted into the show but we encourage everyone to offer their work for sale.  It enhances the value of the show and helps to promote the idea that it is a relevant, professional offering.  That being said, we will not reject a good work if the artist does not want to offer it for sale.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

State of the Art Gallery

120 W. State Street, Ithaca

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

This special event is being held in conjunction with the New Members Show at the State of the Art Gallery, featuring work by Mary Ann Bowman, Ileen Kaplan, Janet Byer Sherman and James Spitznagel. It offers an opportunity for creative collaboration between artists and writers.

Participants will explore intuitive responses, based on memories and associations, as they are recalled in the presence of the art work on exhibit (including work by other gallery members).

There is no charge, but pre-registration is requested and appreciated.

To register, or to ask any questions about the workshop, contact Zee Zahava directly: zee@twcny.rr.com; 607-273-4675.

Irene (Zee) Zahava, the director of Emma’s Writing Center, has been leading Writing Circles for adults and teens since 1994. She is also the outreach librarian for the Durland Alternatives Library at Cornell University, a project partner of The Center for Transformative Action.

State of the Art will host its biennial Invitational Exhibition featuring the work of forty artists from all over the United States and two from Sweden. Work in this show will include paintings–oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, photography, prints and sculpture.

Show dates are December 1 through January 2, 2010, with a reception for the artists Friday, December 3 from 5-8pm at the gallery.

“November @ State of the Art” will feature prints, photographs, paintings, collage, assemblage, drawings, sculpture, ceramics and video by twenty-one of the gallery’s member artists.  A reception for the artists will be held Friday, November 5, Gallery Night in downtown Ithaca.  The dates of the show are November 3-28.

Video

Gallery hours are Wed. – Fri., 12-6pm and Sat. & Sun., 12-5pm.  The gallery is located at 120 W. State Street in Ithaca and is ADA accessible with curbside parking.  Contact information:  607-277-1626 and www.soag.org

Wednesday, September 29th through Sunday, October 31st, 2009
Opening reception: Friday, October 1st, 5-8 pm

During two weekends in October, 55 artists in the Ithaca region open their studios to the public.  As one of the stops on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, State of the Art Gallery (SOAG) will host a preview exhibit.   Beginning on September 29, you can stop by our gallery and see representative work by most of those artists.   In addition, our Salon Gallery will feature work by SOAG members.  A reception for all artists will be held on Friday, October 1st, from 5-8pm; the show will run through October 31st.

State of the Art Gallery is located at 120 W. State Street in Ithaca.  Hours are Wed. – Fri., 12-6pm and Sat. & Sun., 12-5pm.  The gallery is ADA accessible and there is curbside parking available.  Contact information for the gallery is 607-277-1626 and www.soag.org.  For more information on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, visit www.arttrail.com or call 607-273-5072, ext.20.  The brochure can also be downloaded from the Art Trail web site.