RACC Seeks Submissions for the Visual Chronicle of Portland

Portland, June 12th, 2013. The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) is seeking works on paper—prints, drawings, paintings on paper and photographs—to purchase for the Visual Chronicle of Portland collection, for example, Motoya Nakamura (The Oregonian), Orange Devy, 2008, archival pigment print, 11 ¾” x 18”. The budget for the purchase and framing of artwork is $10,000. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 15, 2013.

Background: The Visual Chronicle of Portland is a collection of original works on paper that portray artists’ perceptions of what makes the City of Portland unique. The Chronicle is owned by the City, and exists as a subset of its Public Art Collection. Since its beginning in 1985, the Chronicle has grown to 303 works by 179 different artists and has established itself as an important archive of daily life in Portland, Oregon. RACC oversees the day-to-day management of the Visual Chronicle for the City and insures that the collection remains available to the public by rotating works throughout public spaces in City of Portland and Multnomah County buildings. The collection strives to reflect a diversity of populations, artistic disciplines and points of view.

Until I served on the Visual Chronicle Selection Panel I had no idea what a diverse and talented group of artists was at work in Portland. This collection is a testament to the fact that there is not just one Portland, but many—and that we need the artists’ perspectives to get a glimpse of those aspects of the city.

– Former Visual Chronicle Selection panel member Judith Barrington,

Images and details of the entire collection can be seen by going to www.racc.org/visualchronicle

Theme for 2013: As in the past, purchase selections will be made based on how well the work matches the purpose and spirit of the Visual Chronicle—conveying perceptions of what makes Portland unique. This year however, the selection panel would like to encourage work that documents, describes, or evokes areas, communities and issues that are under-represented in the Chronicle. The bridges, the Rose Parade, Washington Park and other Portland icons, are all well cataloged, but the collection has fewer works that represent people and places that exist beyond downtown and outside of the mainstream. While no absolute boundaries or subjects are mandated or excluded, the panel hopes to add range to the Chronicle and better represent vital neighborhoods, communities and artists that contribute to a fully textured view of Portland.

Selection and Purchase Process: Additions to the Chronicle are supported each year by a fund of $10,000 which covers the purchase of new artwork and archival matting and framing. The Chronicle is restricted to works on paper no larger than 24” x 30”; this keeps the cost of individual pieces modest and allows the selection panel to purchase multiple works.

The selection panel is composed of an independent group of artists and curators. This year’s panel includes Yoonhee Choi, artist and teacher; Gabe Flores, artist, curator; Roll Hardy, artist; Grant Hottle, artist, teacher; Blake Shell, artist, curator. The selection process will take place in two parts—an initial review of digital images followed by a final review of actual artwork.

Submission Details: Works on paper—prints, drawings, paintings on paper and photographs—from professional artists familiar with Portland are eligible. For more information and to download guidelines in English or Spanish, visit the RACC website at www.racc.org (direct link: http://www.racc.org/public-art/racc-opportunity-2013-call-visual-chronicle-portland), or contact program manager Keith Lachowicz at klachowicz@racc.org or 503-823-5404.

Information Session: To assist artists with the submission process and to provide additional
in-depth background on the Visual Chronicle collection RACC staff will hold an information session on Tuesday, June 25^th from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at RACC offices, 411 NW Park Avenue, Suite 101.
Email Keith Lachowicz at klachowicz@racc.org to reserve a spot. RACC staff is also available to speak off-site to groups of artists who would like to learn more about this purchase opportunity.

Submission Deadline: The deadline for all submissions is Monday, July 15, 2013 at 5pm.

For more information contact project staff:

Keith Lachowicz Cheryl Norton

klachowicz@racc.org cnorton@racc.org

503-823-5404 503-823-5865