Open Call for Entries:

Despejo,” a Juried Exhibition

Proudly Part of Fotofest 2006

M2 invites you to participate in “Despejo.” The photography exhibition will take place March 10th, 2006 to April 10th, 2006. There will be an opening reception Friday, March 10th from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. The exhibition will primarily showcase the work of Matt Adams, Chris Rosas and Sergio Santos, but is open for calls to anyone who is interested in taking part in the exhibition and being a part of Fotofest’s Intenational Biennial celebration with us. To learn more about Fotofest, visit the website at: www.fotofest.org

Title

The title of M2's exhibition is “Despejo,” which is a Spanish noun derived from the verb, “despejar.” Here are a few definitions to help guide you, but feel free to creatively explore the word:

despejar verbo transitivo

1. to clear
2. to clear up

Examples of word use:

1. despejar el ambiente expr. : 1. clear the air expr. (after a dispute)
2. despejar todo expr. : 1. clear the decks expr. (Colloquial)

ELIGIBILITY

The call is open to all photographic processes and photographers everywhere. The dimension of a piece must not exceed 30” X 26” framed. Work that has been exhibited previously at M2will not be accepted.

THEMES

As a participating gallery in Fotofest’s theme for 2006, these are the two themes to be conscious of when submitting entries. These descriptions have been quoted directly off of Fotofest’s web site: here

• The Earth continues and expands the Fotofest 2004 exploration of Water, combining conceptual and figurative interpretations of Earth through artistic expression, science, and public policy. The Earth is explored both metaphorically and environmentally. It encompasses human and nonhuman life as well as issues of land use, energy, and geophysical history.

• Artists Responding to Violence is a separate but connected theme to The Earth. The capacity of human society to inflict violence upon itself and the Earth is expanding with the ever increasing spread of technology, population, and global confrontations. In exploring and confronting this theme, Fotofest is not focusing on depiction of violent acts but rather on how creative artists interpret acts of violence and the human capacity for violence in all aspects of life.

ENTRIES

Please do NOT send originals. Submission materials may be presented to M2 in one of two ways: Slides 35mm slides must be mounted in thin cardboard or plastic only. NO oversized or glass mounted slides will be accepted. All Diptychs or Triptychs are to be viewed on one slide and framed in one piece. All slides should be in clear plastic slide sleeves cut down to fit the number of slides submitted. Slides MUST be labeled on the front side with the following information: artist’s name, title, year, print type, image size and an arrow indicating which way is the top of the image. Make certain that the numbers and names match your entry form.

Digital Files Digital files are to be no wider than approximately 2400 pixels at 72dpi in JPG or TIF format on CD or DVD. All Diptychs or Triptychs are to be viewed on one file and framed in one piece.

Digital files MUST be labeled as follows: Entry number first, followed by artist’s name, followed by the name of the piece:

1. name_name of piece

Make certain that the numbers and names match your entry form.

Note* Please ensure that the quality of your slide or digital file matches the original as closely as possible.

Inconsistent or inaccurate representation of the original artwork will forfeit a piece’s acceptance into the exhibition.

ENTRY FEE

There is a $30 (non refundable) entry fee for up to three slides or three digital image files: $5 for each additional image submitted. Make check or money orders in US funds, payable to M2.

DEADLINE

The postmark deadline for materials to be considered for the exhibition is February 20th, 2006.

Submission materials may also be hand delivered to the gallery NO LATER than February 22nd, 2006 at 6:00p.m.

Submissions, entry form and entry fees, whether mailed by the postmark deadline or hand delivered, must be sent together to the following address:

M2 325 W. 19th Street Houston, Texas 77008

RETURN OF MATERIALS

A Self-Addressed-Stamped-Envelope (SASE) must be included for the return of materials. Sufficient postage and proper return envelopes are required (We will not be responsible for insufficient postage or improper return envelopes). Artists from outside of the US may include a bank draft or add the return cost to the entry fee. Works without SASE or paid return cost will be shredded to protect the entrants’ copyrights.

NOTIFICATION

Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance will be made on February 25th, 2006 by email or phone if email is not available. Entries will have to agree to the following conditions:

1. Artists will be responsible for work delivered to and from the gallery on time. While M2 has excellent security for the pieces while they are in the gallery, the pieces are not insured while on the premises. Utmost care will be taken of the accepted artwork but M2 is unable to accept any liability for damage or loss before or after the exhibition, or during shipping. The artist is responsible for any insurance of his/her work during transit. The use of Plexiglas for lightness and safety in the framing of the work is suggested but not required. M2 will unpack, install and repack the accepted work. Artists are to play no part in the installation unless agreed by M2.

2. Artists are responsible for presenting their artwork professionally. The artwork should be framed,

ready to hang (NO clip-on glass sheets). M2 will plan and organize the hanging.

DELIVERY

Hand delivered works may be dropped off March 1st, 2006 through March 4th, 2006 during gallery hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The latest that work can be hand delivered is 6:00p.m. on March 4th, 2006. If mailing artwork, ensure that it arrives at the gallery on or before March 4th. Failure to meet the above deadlines will forfeit the artwork from exhibition in the show.

PICK UP TIMES FOR ACCEPTED WORK

If artwork is hand delivered, the artist needs to arrange to have the work picked up on either April, 12th or 13th between the hours of 10:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. Accepted artwork that is mailed needs to include appropriate return postage or packaging. If work is not picked up at these designated times or does not have proper return postage or packaging it will be discarded.

COMMISSION

There will be a 25% commission on any sale made during the exhibition.