Call for Artists: Physical and Online Exhibitions
Awakening Earth: Narratives of Spring
Curated by: Sergio Gomez for the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago
About the Exhibition
Curated by Sergio Gomez, "Awakening Earth: Narratives of Spring" is an innovative dual-exhibition that spans both the tangible and the digital spaces. This exhibition invites viewers on a journey through the myriad ways artists interpret the awakening of the earth as winter's grasp loosens and spring's first tendrils emerge. Through a curated selection of contemporary paintings, the exhibition explores the multifaceted narratives of spring—a time of unparalleled growth, blossoming beauty, and the rebirth of nature's vibrant palette.
"Awakening Earth: Narratives of Spring" celebrates the cyclical dance of life, where death and dormancy give way to life and vibrancy. It reflects on the broader implications of growth and renewal in our lives and communities, prompting a dialogue on how the themes of bloom and rejuvenation can inspire positive change. This encourages us to consider our roles in nurturing and protecting the environment that sustains us.
The physical exhibition at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago offers an intimate exploration of spring's transformative essence, where each piece serves as a window into the artist's personal engagement with the season. Simultaneously, a parallel augmented reality exhibition extends this experience into the digital domain, accessible online at www.sergiogomezcurates.net. This larger exhibition transcends the physical limitations of space and time, allowing a global audience to immerse themselves in the vibrant energy and diverse perspectives of spring from anywhere in the world.
Curated by Sergio Gomez, this exhibition is a testament to the power of art to connect us with the natural world and with each other. Whether experienced in person at the Zhou B Art Center or through the augmented reality platform online, "Awakening Earth: Narratives of Spring" is an ode to the beauty of life's perpetual renewal and the endless cycle of life.
The exhibition runs from March 15 to May 10, 2024.
Selected Artists for Catalog & In-Person Exhbition at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago
Artists will receive an email with selection and shipping/delivery instructions.
Montserrat Alsina
Mark Banks
Jason Branscum
Carmen Chami
Kei J. Constantinou
Laurence de Valmy
Karen Fike
Linda Friedman Schmidt
Eva Evangelista
Kathleen Heitmann
Andrea F Huffman
David Gista
Michael Ireland
Phil Irish
Sarah Kaiser-Amaral
Kasia Kay
Ananda Kesler
Sarah Larsen
Barbara Leahy-Edwards
Shari LeMonnier
Diana Leviton Gondek
Francisco Marin
Sarah McAllister
MKODJ
David E. Morris
Fred Moss
Nancy Natow-Cassidy
InJung Oh
Deborah Perlman
Danielle Probst
Patricia RAIN Gianneschi
Anke Richert-Korioth
Brenda Robson
Kathleen Roman
Jordan Scott
Linda Scholly
Beth Shadur
Jennifer Small
Joalida Smit
Jessica Smit Mattingly
Roslyne Smith
Tiphanie Spencer
S. Manya Stoumen-Tolino
Beth Swanson
Kasia Szczesniewski
Chris Turner
Erika Vazzana
Vincent Vittorini
Colette Wright Adams
Artists Selected for the Online Exhibition
Artists listed below do not need to ship physical artwork to the gallery. An email will be sent for details.
Mary Barr Rhodes
Marianne Barratt
Christa Capua
Kathie Collinson
Andrea Evenson
Diana Fleysher
Julie Gittemeier
Steven Godfrey
Hilary Goldblatt
Sargam Griffin (collaboration with Linda Schroeter)
Alan Hobscheid
Ellen Holtzblatt
Amelie Hubert
Terri Jordan
Caroline Karp
Eliaichi Kimaro
Sarah Kaiser-Amaral
Vina Kent
Diane Lamboley
AnnMarie LeBlanc
Stephanie Leonard
Rebecca Markus
Susan Marx
Sofya Mirvis
Janet McNulty
Elaine Miller
Danielle Nelisse
Kelly O'Neal
Tina Pare
Marcia Reed
Christine Rolston Weller
Caity Salamanca
Jenny Santi
Jean Sbarra Jones
Lauren Soffe
Emily Thornton Calvo
Shira Toren
Nimi Trehan
Ranjini Venkatachari
Bari Wieselman Schulman
Alice Walther
Margi Weir
J. West
Sarah Whalen
Derrick Whaley (iVision)
Stella Zee
Zhou B Art Center, Chicago
About the Curator
Sergio Gomez is a highly regarded visual artist recognized for his powerful large-scale figurative abstraction paintings and charcoal drawings that explore profound life cycles. With an extensive artistic career, his work has been showcased in over 45 solo exhibitions across the United States and in various international museums, including those in Romania, Italy, Mexico, and Vienna.
In addition to his remarkable studio work, Sergio Gomez is a prolific curator, having curated over 100 exhibitions since 2010. His curatorial journey includes serving as the Director of Exhibitions at the Zhou B. Art Center, founding the 33 Contemporary Gallery, and co-founding the acclaimed coaching academy, Art NXT Level®. Notably, he played a pivotal role in directing the National Wet Paint MFA exhibition, an influential project that spotlighted top MFA painting students on a national stage.
Sergio's significant curatorial achievement with 33 Contemporary Gallery includes the decade-long stewardship of the National Self Portrait Annual Exhibition in Chicago from 2004 to 2014. This exhibition, transformed by Gomez's talent, became one of the largest and most anticipated self-portrait showcases in the nation, attracting over 500 artists over the ten-year span. His curatorial prowess has been sought after by esteemed institutions and events, ranging from the Chicago Park District to the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Instagram: @sergiogomezart
Art Sales
There is a 50% sales commission by the Zhou B Art Center for the physical exhibition.
IMPORTANT DATES
Submit by Monday, February 26 at midnight (Chicago time)
List of selected artists will be published on February 29.
Accepted artwork for the physical exhibition should arrive to the gallery no later than March 12.
Show opens to the online public on March 15, 2024 at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago and online at www.sergiogomezcurates.net
The exhibition runs from March 15 to May 10, 2024.
Shipping
Artwork selected for the gallery in-person exhibition must be shipped to the address below.
Ship to:
Zhou B Art Center
Attn: Sergio Gomez
1029 W. 35th St.
Chicago, IL 60609
Ph. 773-523-0200
Art MUST arrive no later than March 12th. Save your tracking number to track your package’s delivery.
Hand-Delivery
You may hand-deliver your artwork to the Zhou B Art Center no later than Wednesday, March 13th.
Drop-off dates and times:
Friday, March 8: 11 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesday, March 12: 11 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday, March 13: 10 am to 3:00 pm
Please notify sergio of your delivery choice.