It’s the 4th Annual Postcard Project!

Each year, to celebrate our talented Member artists, the Alternator hosts our annual Members Exhibition: the Postcard Project and Studio Sale! Members can register to create an edition of unique handmade postcards, submit artworks to be sold for the studio sale, or both. Postcards come in editions of either 5 or 10, and are limited to 36 participants: one for each year of the Alternator’s existence.

Our Annual Postcard Project exhibition will open on July 18, with an opening reception taking place that evening from 6 - 8pm - mark your calendars to join us as we celebrate the exhibition, as well as our 36th birthday!

The Postcard Project invites 36 Alternator member artists to create 5 or 10 original postcards. The works may be watercolour, collage, photographs or any other 2D media that will fit on the 4x6” postcard substrate (postcard blanks will be provided by the Alternator). In the spirit of the Alternator mandate, we welcome experimental interpretations of this project. A piece of creative writing? A painting made by your pet? Dance instructions? We want to see it! This will be a limited run of 360 unique postcards so don’t delay in registering as spots are limited, first come, first served! 

The numbered, limited edition postcards will be exhibited in-gallery and offered for sale to our visitors for $15 each with 75% of proceeds going directly to the artist, and the remaining 25% to the gallery to support the Alternator’s programming. The public will be encouraged to send their purchased postcard out to friends or family or keep it for themselves.

The Studio Sale is an open call for submissions for Members to submit up to two guaranteed artworks and one juried artwork (any medium / theme) for inclusion in an exhibition taking place in the Main and Project Gallery. The maximum artwork size is 36”x36”. Artworks may be offered for sale at any price with 75% of proceeds going directly to the artist, and the remaining 25% to the gallery to support the Alternator’s programming. Works will be removed from the wall as they are sold so buyers can walk away with their newly purchased art.

How​ ​to​ ​Participate:

Step​ ​1:​ ​Membership

Sign​ ​up​ ​for​ ​or​ ​renew​ ​your​ ​Alternator​ ​membership.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​sign-up​ ​​online​ ​​or​ ​in​ ​person​ ​at​ ​the​ ​gallery.​ ​

Not​ ​sure​ if your Alternator membership is still active? ​ ​Contact​ ​us​ ​at​ ​info@alternatorcentre.com and we can help you out!

Step​ ​2:​ ​Register​ ​to​ ​Exhibit​ by June 27, 11:59 p.m.

Complete and submit the registration form either through the Alternator website or by completing a printed form that can​ ​then​ ​be​ ​submitted​ ​in​ ​person or​ ​emailed to​ ​info@alternatorcentre.com. Artists can sign up for either the Postcard Project, Studio Sale, or both.
Download Registration Form

Step​ ​3:​ ​Label​ ​and​ ​drop​ ​off​ ​your​ ​artwork

POSTCARD PROJECT
Pick up your blank postcards (if applicable)

Artists participating in the Postcard Project will be provided with 5 or 10 4x6” blank postcards. Cards may be picked up at the Alternator between May 22 - June 28. Any medium is welcome as long as the piece remains 2D and limited to 4x6”. 

Unsure if your medium will work on the provided postcard paper? Not to worry! Folks are welcome to use their own paper as long as they are mounted with archival glue to the provided postcard upon delivery. For example, many photo-based artists have printed their photos and attached them to the postcards. This way, no matter your medium there is a way to participate!

Completed postcards should be returned to the Alternator between July 2 - 11 during gallery hours. If you are unable to drop off your completed postcards during these times, please email info@alternatorcentre.com to make alternate arrangements. Please identify your work by completing the following inventory form and return when dropping off artworks.
Download Postcard Inventory Form

STUDIO SALE

The public will take home purchased Studio Sale artwork with them immediately. As such, we ask that artwork is dropped off in good condition and ready to hang or install. For instance, artwork that is on warped frames or that does not have required hardware (i.e. wire) for hanging will not be accepted. 

Label​ ​and​ ​identify​ ​your​ ​artwork​ by filling out and attaching labels below.
Download Studio Sale Labels

Labelled artwork can be dropped off at the Alternator between July 2 - 11 during regular gallery hours. If you are unable to drop off your work during these times, please email info@alternatorcentre.com to make alternate arrangements.

All​ ​artwork​ ​identification​ ​must​ ​be​ ​included and​ ​securely​ ​attached​ ​to​ ​your​ ​art​ ​at​ ​the​ ​time​ ​of​ ​drop-off. Please be sure to note which of your submitted pieces are your 2 guaranteed works, and which is an additional work submitted for jurying.

Step​ ​4:​ ​Sales

75% of any sales go directly to the artists after the end of the exhibition. Cheques are typically delivered in September. Please note, total payable earnings under $20 will be automatically credited towards future membership payments.

Additionally, participants will have the option to donate their earnings to the gallery.

Important Dates

Exhibition Dates: July 18 - August 16 

Opening Reception / 36th Birthday Party: July 18, 6-8pm

Submissions open: May 21 

Submissions close: June 27

Blank Postcard Pickup: May 22 - June 28

Artwork dropoff: July 2 - 11

Artwork Pickup: August 19 - 23

Cheques sent out: September TBD

Still need convincing? Take a look at exhibition photos from previous years!