Out of the Box is an annual jewelry design challenge hosted by the Jansen Art Center in partnership with the Bellingham Metal Arts Guild.
In 2015, 35 artists submitted wearable artwork in the first Out of the Box challenge: Falling Out of the Box.
This year’s theme is Take a Wrist. Artist are challenged to create a silver bracelet inspired by a person who they consider to be or to have been a risk taker: Evel Knievel, Frida Kahlo, Jackie Robinson, Amelia Earhart, Charlie Bucket, Alice Kingsley…just to name a few. Reserve your Material Box now!
Challenge Rules
Artists register for the challenge by purchasing a Materials Box through the Jansen Art Center website, or in person at the Gallery Shop at the Jansen Art Center. Material boxes are $36.00. Material boxes can be picked up at the Bellingham Metal Arts Guild or the Jansen Art Center. We will mail material boxes USPS Priority Mail at the cost of $6.80. You will be asked to choose a pick up location or shipping on the order form. Boxes will be available for pick up, or mailed on Tuesday, August 30th.
Material boxes contain identical materials. Artists are required to use at least 80% of the silver included in the material box. Artists are allowed to add any additional materials to their designs if they desire – there are no limits to additional materials.
All submissions should fit the theme of this year’s challenge: Take a Wrist. Choose a person you admire for taking a risk in their life. Design a bracelet with that person in mind, using the components from your material box. Your inspiration can be dead or alive, real or fictional, famous or not.
All completed bracelets need to be returned to the Jansen Art Center or Bellingham Metal Arts Guild by the end of the business day on Friday, September 30th. Entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form (included in the materials box). Entry forms will include a brief explanation of your piece, title and consignment information, if applicable.
Entries will be on display at the Jansen Art Center from October 6 through November 25, 2016. The Opening Reception for the exhibit will be on Thursday, October 6 from 5:30-7:30pm. During the Opening Reception, there will be a People’s Choice ballot.
Artists will have the option to participate in a Silent Auction during the Opening Reception for Take a Wrist. For the silent auction, artists will set the retail price for their item and will receive a commission split of 60% of the retail price. The Jansen Art Center will receive 40% of the retail price in addition to any amount bid over the retail price.
Artist not participating in the Silent Auction may offer their piece for sale during the exhibit through our consignment program. Artists will set the retail price for their pieces. The Artist will receive a commission split of 60% of the retail price and the Jansen Art Center will receive 40%.
All material box sales are final. It is the artist’s responsibility to complete and deliver their entries prior to the deadline.
The Bellingham Metal Arts Guild encourages its members to work on their Take a Wrist projects during their Member Open Studio hours. Annual memberships range from $20-$30. If you would like more information on becoming a member of the Bellingham Metal Arts Guild, please visit their website.