Creative Cortland: A Community Visual Arts Exhibition

CRT Downtown announces an open call for visual art entries in a Cortland Community Arts Exhibition. This exhibition will explore the idea of persistence by asking: What happens to the imagination under prolonged pervasive circumstances?

Art is catharsis. It is an emotional release. As creatives, we make work that conveys a mode of expression that is unique to our individual human experience. An audience connects with these various forms of expression to relate and react. 2020 has been a challenging year for us collectively with varying degrees of difficulty. Ultimately the result has been the exercising of imaginative outside-of-the-box creative discovery leading to new ways to be expressive and stay connected. We ask you as an artist: How did you find communion with your creativity during prolonged pervasive circumstances?

 The challenges of the pandemic lead to a communion with my creativity and out-of-the-box collaboration. Persistence has led to the creation of socially distant drive-through experiences, Stories in the Park & Ghosts in the Park at Dwyer Memorial Park in Preble, NY. I have also rediscovered and explored my independent creative practices and projects. Persist!”

In lieu of a gallery opening and to adhere to social distancing guidelines, there will be a Facebook LIVE stream Friday, February 26 starting at 7:00 PM.

The shutdowns caused by the pandemic have had devastating effects on the arts and entertainment sectors. As a community, it is within our power to help support the arts that enrich all our lives. Crystal Lyon will be donating original works to a silent auction with a starting bid of $100 with all proceeds going to support Cortland Repertory Theatre. Artists can choose to participate by selecting one piece to donate with a starting bid of their choice. Winners will be contacted after exhibition closing on Monday, March 15.

The Creative Cortland Community Visual Arts Exhibition is open for viewing from February 26 – March 14;  Saturday & Sunday from Noon – 5:00 PM, and Monday-Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM with a suggested donation of $5.00.

Entry is open to residents of Cortland County – professionals, amateurs, and high school seniors as well as students and faculty from Tompkins Cortland CC and SUNY Cortland. There is an entry fee of $10 for students and $20 for all others.

Any artists interested in submitting work will find more information on this page or download here.

For questions, please contact Crystal Lyon at ArtGallery@cortlandrep.org or call (607) 283–4879.