UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
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FL3TCH3R EXHIBIT: Social & Politically Engaged Art (September 30 - December 6)
International ‘FL3TCH3R Exhibit’ Invites Artists for 2024 Exhibition at ETSU’s Reece Museum
Johnson City, TN — Artists from around the world are invited to participate in the 12th annual “FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social & Politically Engaged Art” at East Tennessee State University’s Reece Museum. This prestigious international juried exhibition will be held from September 30 to December 6, 2024.
The exhibition, renowned for its exploration of contemporary social and political movements, will feature a diverse array of artworks that address pressing global issues. The 2024 juror, Meaghan A. Dee is an Associate Professor and Chair of Graphic Design as well as a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Creativity, Arts, and Technology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Meaghan is both a practicing graphic designer and design educator, and will bring expertise and vision to this year’s selection process.
“There is no specific theme for entries this year, allowing artists to focus broadly on socially and politically engaged art,” said co-directors Barb, Wayne, and Carrie Dyer. However, the mandate “Make Your Vote Count to Preserve Democracy!” will be highlighted in this year’s exhibition. Entries are now being accepted online via: FL3TCH3Rexhibit.com/downloads/prospectus.pdf.
The submission deadline is August 23, 2024, with an extended deadline until August 31 for an additional fee. Artists may submit up to three entries for a non-refundable fee of $40, with each additional artwork/title costing $10.
A portion of the entry fees fund the Fletcher Hancock Dyer BFA Graphic Design Scholarship, benefiting ETSU Art and Design students. This scholarship honors the memory of Fletcher H. Dyer, a talented artist and former ETSU student. The exhibition was created to forward the legacy of former student, artist, graphic designer, and the Dyers’ son, and brother Fletcher H. Dyer, age 22, who was lost too soon in a motorcycle accident on November 5, 2009.
Fletcher, who tragically passed away in 2009, envisioned art as a powerful medium for social change. His legacy inspires the exhibit’s mission to foster dialogue on critical social issues through artistic expression. Fletcher created works that addressed social and political issues that concerned him through visual means. He believed that everyone should have their own ideas about their environment and the world around them and a safe way to express whatever they are. Fletcher wrote, "I dream of making a difference in some way with my art, I might attempt to right political, social, and religious wrongs by showing the rest of society a glimpse of how I feel about serious issues in the world... Hopefully the awareness that I can help create will spark an interest in a movement that others will follow." Fletcher’s work embodied a purposeful, deliberate perspective and it was his personal endeavor to employ art as social commentary.
“We continue to support artwork that advocates for democracy, voting rights, and confronts systemic racism,” stated co-director Carrie Dyer, underscoring the exhibit’s commitment to social justice.
More than $2,000 in awards will be presented during the exhibition reception and juror talk on Thursday, November 7, at 5 p.m. at the Reece Museum, offering artists an opportunity for recognition and discussion of their work.
For further information on submitting entries and detailed guidelines, visit FL3TCH3Rexhibit.com. Past exhibitions and winning entries can also be explored on the website.
Artists should submit entries online or consult the prospectus at FL3TCH3Rexhibit.com/downloads/prospectus.pdf
ETSU is home to a vibrant arts community, hosting dozens of concerts, exhibitions and performances throughout the year.
The Reece Museum is a unit of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services, which is housed in the ETSU Department of Appalachian Studies. Learn more about the Reece Museum and current exhibits at etsu.edu/cas/cass/reece/ or call (423) 439-4392.