The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art’s Annual Members’ Show and Sale is back with the second edition of the Postcard Project and Studio Sale! This year we invite you to celebrate the Alternator’s 33rd Birthday with this community-centered exhibition and sale taking place from July 8 - August 6, 2022.

Similar to the previous year, the Annual Members’ Exhibition: Postcard Project & Studio Sale, will take on two distinct components. Artists will have the option to participate in either the Postcard Project, Studio Sale, or both.

This year we will be hosting an event to accompany the exhibition in celebration of our 33rd Birthday and our creative community, stay tuned for upcoming details!

The Postcard Project invites 33 Alternator member artists (one for each year of our existence!) to create 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 grocery list? Instructions for performance art? A map leading to a buried treasure? We love it!! This will be a limited run of 330 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 $10 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, keep it for themselves, or have the Alternator mail the postcard on their behalf (within Canada; address to be provided by purchaser).

NOTE: Registration to participate in the postcard project is now full. You can still register, and will be on a waitlist if any spots become available! Registration is still open for the studio sale.

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​ ​250 868 2298​ ​or​ ​at​ ​info@alternatorcentre.com and we can help you out!

Step​ ​2:​ ​Register​ ​to​ ​Exhibit​ by: Thursday, June 30th,​ ​2022, 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.

Postcard Project & Studio Sale Registration Form (Online)
Postcard Project & Studio Sale Registration Form (PDF) 

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 10 4x6” blank postcards. Cards may be picked up at the Alternator between June 7 -  June 11. Any medium is welcome as long as the piece remains 2D and limited to 4x6”.

Completed postcards should be returned to the Alternator between​ ​June 30 - July 2 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.

Postcard Project Inventory

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.

Studio Sale Label Form (PDF)

Labelled artwork can be dropped off at the Alternator between​ ​June 30 - July 2 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.

Important Dates

June 1 - Registration opens
June 7 - 11 - Blank postcard pickup
June 14 -18 - Postcard waitlist notified & pickup
June 30 - Registration deadline
June 28 - 30 & July 2 - Artwork dropoff
July 8 - Exhibition opens
August 6 - Exhibition ends
August 9 - 13 - Artwork pickup
September - Cheques mailed out

Still need convincing? Take a look at photos from 2021’s event below!