SEEKING ARTIST SUBMISSIONS!

Application Deadline: April 25, 2024

Ten artists will be chosen in a juried selection process. This is open to all disciplines of art: 2D, 3D, performance based, musical, literary - you name it! If you can make a convincing case for why your home studio would be fascinating for others to see and engage with, we want to hear about it!

Why apply to be a Featured Artist?

• Build your network and local community

• Increase awareness of your work

• Sell your art without having to be a vendor at an art market

• Inspire someone! Show folks that it’s possible to make amazing things happen in a home studio

• Make new art friends

• Receive a small stipend as thanks for taking the time to participate and host visitors

How to Apply:

Submit the following materials to ali@happytimestudio.com:

• Description of your artistic medium and experience

• 3-5 work samples (any format that works, ask if you have questions)

• Description of your home studio - address, confirmation that it is suitable for public visitation. You can partner with another artist and share a studio space. Please reach out with any questions.

• Description of how you would engage visitors to your studio (for example, collect emails for a newsletter, provide an activity for kids/adults, offer a performance/demo)

Eligibility:

• Artist studios must be located within at least one of the following: Issaquah city limits, Issaquah postal address, Issaquah School District.

• Artists must be emerging or established - in either case, artists need to demonstrate a substantial body of work and a cohesive vision/approach. Please reach out with questions.

• We will require a studio visit for all finalists, before final decisions are made, and all featured artists are responsible for insuring their own work and space.

Criteria:

• Quality: High quality art requires not only technical skill but also a meaningful and unique artistic statement. What is it like to interact with the work? Does it challenge, inspire, or otherwise show us something that we didn’t previously consider about the world?

• Experience: Applicants can be emerging or established artists. We are looking for dedication to the practice, however the artist chooses to demonstrate it.

• Audience Engagement: Art is a powerful and unique way to bind community together. We are looking for the ability to engage participants in studio conversation, demonstration, and connection.

• Diversity: We seek broad representation across artistic mediums, age, gender, racial and cultural background, and experience as an artist. We also aim for geographic diversity across greater Issaquah.

Entry Fee:

You know what? We don’t want artists to have to “pay to play.” It doesn’t seem fair. Also, we’re learning that it takes a big effort to mount an event like this, and artists, jurists, and the creative folks that make this happen deserve to be compensated for their time. If you feel able, we suggest a submission fee of $25. But it’s up to you. It’s more important to us that you share your work and we get to see what you’re up to.

Meet the jury:

Adia Mei Jun Bobo: PNW born and raised with family roots in Hawaii, Adia Mei Jun Bobo is a locally based jewelry metalsmith, art instructor, curator and shop owner. Her jewelry line, Rain City Forge, has been featured in shows and exhibitions across the country and led to her teaching at Pratt Fine Arts Center for a number of years. She opened her brick-and-mortar store CITRINE design shop in November of 2022 where she shows her own jewelry alongside thoughtfully designed and small batch goods from designers and makers around the world.

Ali Marcus: As a professional songwriter and folksinger, Ali has toured the nation singing songs with and for audiences of all kinds. Some highlights include sharing the stage with Dar Williams, Tom Paxton, and Ruthie Foster, singing harmonies and collaborating with incredible talent all across America, and working in recording studios with major label superstars. She is the owner of Happy Time Studio, you can learn more here.

Susan E. Walker: Artistic risks are balanced by Susan Walker’s strong academic training.  She has a BFA in Studio Art from the University of California, Davis, where she studied with mentor Wayne Thiebaud.  Susan also completed a two-year residency program at the University of Washington in Drawing & Painting.  Her paintings are in corporate collections and private residences throughout the United States. Susan teaches at Happy Time - learn more here.

William Cook: William is a self-taught northwest printmaker and painter, showing in creative and artistic spaces around the Puget Sound region over the last decade. William works in many different forms of printmaking with a focus on Linocut and Monotype, and he teaches at Happy Time - learn more here.

THE ISSAQUAH OPEN STUDIO TOUR IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF: