Art Ghoullery VI: Crossing the River Styx

CROSSING THE RIVER STYX

Life is like a river. Some of us go with the flow, some of us fight the current. Our decisions send us down various creeks and tributaries. No two rivers travel the same route, yet we all wind up riding in Charon’s boat at the end.

”Art Ghoullery VI: Crossing the River Styx” is the sixth iteration of an annual exhibition dedicated to the scariest of holidays. It brings frightening fringe art back to The Rourke with the assistance of fantastic artists – both local and remote. The interpretation of motif ranges from cute to creepy, while the diversity of visual language on display creates a macabre melody sure to delight both the sinister and silly.

As an artist, you are cordially invited to submit up to three pieces of art to “Art Ghoullery VI: Crossing the River Styx”, which will take place from October 6 until November 5. “Art Ghoullery VI: Crossing the River Styx” is meant as an exploration of thresholds. Be it an ominous boatman, a looming reaper, or just the crossroads between life and death itself – this show is about the journey to our final destination. Artists are encouraged to submit pieces that reflect upon their own real or imaginary experiences. Pieces can be creepy, kooky, mysterious, or spooky, but are encouraged to remain PG13 or under and retain some semblance of whimsy and connection to the theme.

Exhibition Dates

The Art Ghoullery will be on display from Friday 6 October through Sunday 5 November 2023. A Masquerade Reception will be held at the Rourke Art Gallery + Museum on Saturday 28 October where we shall announce and present the juror’s choice and audience choice awards.

Eligibility

This is a juried show. Artists are required to submit their entries by Monday 11 September and will be notified of acceptance by Friday 15 September. Images of the artwork submitted must be in JPG/JPEG format and no larger than 3MB

Entries

Fill out the entry form at TheRourke.org/artghoulleryform.html to qualify for the juried selection process. To be included in The Art Ghoullery, your accepted piece(s) must arrive at The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum on, or before, Friday 29 September.  By submitting the Entry Form, you acknowledge and consent to all conditions and guidelines set forth in this Call for Artists.  If your art is accepted, it must arrive on, or before, September 29 with a copy of the online entry form you shall receive in your email upon submission of the form.  Your submission will not be accepted if the form submission and artwork do not arrive by their respective deadlines.

Your artwork may be in any media.  We prefer that no object exceed 36” in any of its dimensions.  If your piece must be larger, please contact the Rourke Art Gallery + Museum about the availability of space within the exhibition.  All entries are for sale.  The gallery commission (40%) must be included when you list the price of your art. If you are exclusively represented by another gallery, please inform the Rourke of any special arrangements with which the Museum must comply.

All art must arrive ready for installation.  Two-dimensional art must arrive ready to hang.  Works on paper must be protected under glass or Plexiglas.  All wooden picture frames, canvas stretcher bars, or panel supports must accept eye screws.  Metal picture frames must include adjustable hanging hardware.  Be aware: We reserve the right to refuse artwork which is in poor condition, which is poorly framed, or which we deem otherwise unacceptable for installation.

Transportation of Art

Your artwork must arrive on or before Friday 29 September.  

Send your art to:

The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum
521 Main Avenue
Moorhead, MN 56560

Artists are responsible for shipping costs to and from the Museum.  For hand-delivered works, we ask that you schedule a half-hour delivery window between your notification of acceptance and end of business on Friday 29 September by e-mailing curbside@therourke.org. Delivery hours run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays – Fridays.

After the end of the exhibition, unsold artwork will be available for pick-up by scheduling a half-hour window during the hours of 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 November and by special appointment thereafter.  Artists will be invoiced for return shipment unless shipping is prepaid with a return carrier.  Artwork which is not claimed prior to Sunday 31 December 2023 (or which has not been designated to remain on consignment by both the Museum and the artist) will be accepted as an unrestricted donation to The Rourke Art Gallery + Museum.

We look forward to seeing your submissions.

With Best Regards,

Jonathan Rutter
Executive Director & Curator

Mark Elton
Guest Curator & Artist