Giertz Gallery at Parkland College seeks exhibition proposals by solo artists, collaborative groups, or curators in all genres of contemporary approaches to art-making. Preference will be given to artists with an established exhibition record. Giertz Gallery is a professionally designed gallery devoted primarily to education through contemporary art. It hosts seven exhibitions annually, including one student exhibition, one Art and Design Faculty Show, and a National Invitational. Other shows vary depending on applications and the vision of the Director and Advisory Board.
Giertz Gallery is more than just an exhibition space. It's a dynamic platform that brings contemporary art to the forefront. Our teaching gallery hosts programs featuring professional artists, allowing faculty to use the gallery as an instructional resource. This setup benefits our students and the community, who get to experience the artwork firsthand, and the artists, who can share their creative process and artistic journey.
Submitting a proposal to Giertz Gallery is a simple and straightforward process. Our exhibits run for approximately six weeks, and the artist is responsible for expenses and insurance during the artwork's transportation to the gallery. We provide return shipping or an honorarium to cover return travel expenses. Additionally, we offer an honorarium for participating in visiting artist activities such as lectures, gallery talks, and workshops. To apply, please submit 20 images (including at least one installation image if possible), a list of titles, sizes, dates, and media, a resume or CV with an exhibition record, and an artist statement related to this body of work. Only complete proposal packages, including all information listed in the Proposal Guidelines, will be reviewed. For more information, please contact giertzgallery@parkland.edu. We accept applications on an ongoing basis for future review.
However, application materials must be received by June 15, 2025, for inclusion in the following review cycle. Giertz Gallery is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing access to exhibitions, arts and education programs, and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran's status, political affiliation, or disability. We are a Section 504/ADA-compliant institution free and open to the public.
Call for Entries
Around the Block V: Artists from Our Neighborhood
Exhibition: June 9 - July 24, 2025
Reception: July 24, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, with opening remarks by Lisa Costello and Kelly White
Additional programming to be announced
Giertz Gallery at Parkland College, in collaboration with 40 North: Champaign County Arts Council, presents Around the Block V: Artists from Our Neighborhood, a juried community exhibition of regional artists.
Calendar
04.21 Online submission deadline
05.06. Acceptance notifications sent
5.27 - 5.28 Deliver accepted art works to Giertz Gallery:
- Tuesday, May 27, between 12-7 pm
- Wednesday, May 28, 10-5 pm
06.09 Exhibition opens
06.12 Reception 5:30-7:30 pm, opening remarks at 6:15 pm by Lisa Costello, Giertz Gallery Director, and Kelly White, Executive Director of 40 North, Champaign County Arts Council.
07.24 Closing Reception from 5:30 to 7 pm. Artists may pick up work at closing of exhibit.
07.27 Pick up exhibited artwork from Giertz Galley between 10 am and 6 pm.
Juror
Josh Fairbanks is the Assistant Director of Exhibitions at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where he leads Undergraduate and New Work Exhibitions and manages SAIC Galleries. He also teaches practicum courses in Exhibition Studies. Fairbanks is an alum of Parkland College and studied Art History and Painting at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). In addition to his administrative work, he is a practicing artist.
Eligibility
Open to all artists 18 years and older residing in Champaign County and Counties within the Parkland College 505 District, including Ford, Coles, Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Iroquois, Livingston, Moultrie, McLean and Vermilion. All work must be original and not previously exhibited at the Giertz Gallery. Work completed under an instructor’s supervision is not eligible. Only works completed since January of 2023 will be accepted. The juror will make all final determinations.
Media
Submitted works may be in the following disciplines: painting, sculpture, ceramics, metals, drawing, printmaking, photography, textiles, video and mixed media. Due to space limitations accepted video will be shown on a computer monitor. No Installation Art accepted due to space restrictions.
Specifications
Size: Works including frames should not exceed 42 (h) x 36 (w) x 36 (d) inches.
Work must be completely assembled and exhibition ready. All works on paper must be matted or mounted and framed. Frames should be wired or have D-rings (no sawtooth hangers). Unframed paintings are acceptable but must have a finished edge and be ready to hang. Wires on artwork, when pulled taut, should sit 2 - 3 inches below the frame's top center.
Work requiring special handling or installation will be accepted only at the gallery’s discretion. Giertz Gallery has the right to exclude any artwork that has the potential to damage the facility, other artwork, or the public.
Jury Instructions
Jurying will be conducted through online submission only. No mailed or emailed applications will be accepted.
Digital Images
Giertz Gallery requests digital images in 300 dpi – 4″ × 6″ (1200 × 1800 pixels) – jpeg file format. Images should be named using the following format:
LastName_FirstName_Submission#.JPG (example: Kahlo_Frida_1.JPG)
Entry Fee
A $20.00 jury fee entitles each artist to submit a maximum of three artworks. Each 3D work entry may have one detail image. Due to space restrictions of the gallery, no more than one piece per artist will be accepted. All fees are nonrefundable and payable by credit card or PayPal at time of online submission.
Liability
Works will be handled with the utmost care. Giertz Gallery will provide insurance coverage for damage or loss only while in the possession of the gallery. The amount of coverage will be limited to the repair or replacement value, as stated by the artist on the loan form.
Written authorization is required for the Giertz Gallery to release artwork to anyone other than the artist. If you cannot pick up your work during the designated times, you may indicate a proxy by special arrangement with Giertz Gallery staff. Your proxy must provide a valid picture ID. Artwork left with the Giertz Gallery more than 30 days after the close of the exhibition is deemed abandoned and may be discarded.
Agreement
Submitting an entry to this show constitutes agreement with all conditions of this show. Giertz Gallery at Parkland College assumes the right to photograph accepted artwork for publicity or catalog purposes.
Giertz Gallery at Parkland College reserves the right to reject artwork inaccurately represented by the image submitted for jurying. Any artwork deemed extraordinarily fragile or unstable will not be accepted. Artwork must not include copyrighted imagery. All accepted work must remain for the duration of the show. Any artwork that does not meet the above guidelines will not be accepted for Exhibition.
Sales
Exhibited artwork available for sale will be sold at the price indicated on the entry form, with the artist receiving 70% and the Giertz Gallery receiving 30%. Works not for sale should be listed “NFS,” but a value must be stated for insurance purposes.
Notification
Artists will be notified of their acceptance via email provided by the artist on the submission form. Please see calendar for notification dates.
Questions?
Contact the 40 North: Champaign County Arts Council by email at kwhite@40north.org or call 217/351.9841. Contact Giertz Gallery at Parkland College Office by email at giertzgallery@parkland.edu or call 217/351-2485.