FOR ARTISTS
Exhibition and Project Proposals
Colborne Street Gallery is a culturally vibrant space for local artists from the Kawarthas and surrounding area, as well as other Canadian and international emerging, mid-career, and established artists. Our gallery is dedicated to the exhibition of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, fibre and textile art. Colborne Street Gallery are proud supporters of the cultural and creative economy in Fenelon Falls which draws from a rich heritage and diverse art scene found throughout the Kawartha Lakes region.
Our programming is built months, often years in advance so we can foster relationships with our artists, provide ample time for them to prepare work, explore ideas, and create a strong body of work for exhibition. This also allows the gallery to plan and market to our clients and visitors. Fenelon Falls is situated as an ideal tourist location attracting not only local residents but increased foot traffic especially throughout the summer months.
Colborne Street Gallery is a non-discriminatory business therefore harassment, or mistreatment of anyone will not be tolerated. We value diversity and inclusion. We operate from a place of love and acceptance through respectful and open lines of communication. We welcome submissions from local artists, artists from outside our community, artists from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as well as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists.
Finding the Fit
To familiarize yourself with Colborne Street Gallery and to learn more about if your work is a good fit, learn more about us here here colbornegallery.ca/about
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see how we support the artists we work with and how we collaborate with the many community partners that Fenelon Falls offers as part of the collective art scene. This will also provide an idea of the type of work we exhibit and provide a feel for the openings and events we host.
There is no better way to get to know us than to visit us! Engagement and support are essential for the gallery’s continued success. Attend a reception or a special event to get a feel for our space and the kind of work we represent. Discover what kind of art best resonates with our gallery clientele. We have some notable local success stories and networking can be a way to learn about the right fit.
Once you have established a relationship and know more about us, you can ask yourself: do we already have an artist that creates in a similar style? Are you bringing us something new and different? Do you have something special that can benefit our offerings and/or programming?
Since we are a commercial gallery, this determines what work we will exhibit. It is always our goal to sell our clientele and prospects new and unique offerings.
Getting Ready
Online is often the first way to introduce your work to galleries and clients. Do you have a website? Social media accounts? High quality images of your work? It is important that your portfolio showcases accurate colour palettes, clear resolution, and correct information.
Below are suggested tips and guidelines to help you as an artist prepare, as all our calls for submissions will require some form of the following:
Artist Statement
Write your statement in first person referring to relevant information only. Write about the point of your practice, materials, approaches, themes or focus, the history related to your work/approach/medium, and contemporary discourse. Consider what makes your work different, exciting, or interesting. This will help tell the story of not only your work but you as an artist and professional.
How to write an artist statement:
https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/art/how-to-write-artist-statement
https://www.hamiltonartscouncil.ca/artist-statement
Bio
Your bio is about connecting with your audience and giving them a window into who you are. Keep it concise and engaging. Only mention points that inform your current art practice, for example medium and special techniques. It can also include a glimpse of your biggest accomplishments such as exhibitions and awards. Most bios are written in the third person and should read as if someone else is writing about you.
How to write an artist bio:
https://guelpharts.ca/general/how-to-write-your-artist-s-bio-in-5-easy-steps/
https://partners.artsy.net/resource/what-we-learned-from-writing-artist-bios/
CV
Your CV should be written in a point form resume style approach. Collect all relevant information related to your practice; education, workshops, exhibitions, awards, speaking engagements, programming and projects, collections, publications, volunteer work, related experience, etc.
How to write an artist CV:
https://www.hamiltonartscouncil.ca/curriculum-vitae
Images
Best practices recommend having both high and low-res images of your work on hand for clients, galleries, calls for submissions, grant applications, and more. Be sure to photograph your work using the best equipment you have access to. You spend a great deal of time and effort creating, be sure the documentation is an accurate representation of your work. Consider colour accuracy, lighting, dimensions, multiple angles for sculptures, and more. If you are uncomfortable documenting yourself, find someone who can help or have a professional document for you.
Helpful articles:
https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/4-steps-to-photographing-your-art-like-a-professional
Image List
This list accompanies your images. It includes thumbnails of the work as well as title, date, medium, dimensions (including framed and unframed, if necessary), edition (if necessary), and price. This is the information gallery staff will use to add your work into our inventory system. Review and ensure you are sending accurate information.
Helpful article:
https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/how-to-build-a-digital-archive-of-your-artwork
How to Submit
We encourage artists to apply to our calls if you are interested in showing at Colborne Street Gallery. It is the best way to present your work and for us to learn how our clientele and visitors respond to the work.
Learn about our calls for submissions, events, and other creative opportunities by emailing info@colbornegallery.ca. Please provide your full name, state that you are an artist, and would like to be added to our mailing lists.
Please click here to review our application details and submit your portfolio.
Future Considerations
The reason we ask for images, Artist Statements, CVs, Bios, Image Lists, and more, is so we can confidently speak about you and your practice to clients and visitors. This helps us market and promote as well as build engaging events and exhibitions for various mediums and artworks.
As an artist, once you have these assets, it is much easier to apply for calls, grants, and send your work to clients. It's helpful to keep these items updated. Consider reviewing them regularly and/or creating different versions for various opportunities and different bodies of works/themes you explore in your practice. It can be incredibly helpful to have a trusted and knowledgeable peer review your work and provide feedback.
Helpful article:
https://www.joanmitchellfoundation.org/uploads/pdf/CALL-Workbook-Dec2013.pdf
Colborne Street Gallery is a proud member of the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce and the Arts & Heritage Trail. We pride ourselves in being one of the many vibrant cultural assets within the Kawartha Lakes.
We look forward to your submission and we encourage you in the meantime to visit us, follow us, or participate in one of our special events. We are all about supporting and engaging through art to build meaningful community and artist connections.
Thank you!
Tim, Chris, Darcie + Kevin
Colborne Street Gallery Team