Calling all front page artists
To celebrate The Prince George Citizen’s 100th anniversary, the newspaper is inviting local artists to contribute to a unique public art project.
During 2016, The Citizen will offer up 26 front pages to showcase each artist’s original interpretation of a letter of the alphabet.
This project is based on a partnership last year between the Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise in Massachusetts and artists in their area.
The work by the Prince George artists will take up most of the front page of The Citizen, which is about 10.5 by 12.5 inches. Along with the artwork on the front page, a 100-word artist’s statement, a photo of the artist and a bit about the project will go on page 2.
“We just wanted to do something different for the 100th, not just say ‘yay, it’s our 100th anniversary, yay, look at our new flag.’ We wanted to do something a little different and get people’s attention,” said Neil Godbout, managing editor of The Citizen.
“Let’s do something special but also something that’s a partnership with another group to broaden the celebration and show the appreciation we have of those partnerships and friendships that we’ve made over the years.”
Reaching out to the Prince George Community Arts Council and local artists seemed like a great option, Godbout added.
“Let’s put out some great front pages – collector’s editions, if you will, but also have those artists share in our pride,” said Godbout.
Each artist gets an honorarium of $100. Permanent publishing rights to the images submitted, both online and in print, belong to The Citizen.
“The project is open to all types of art forms,” said Lisa Redpath, project manager for the Prince George Community Arts Council, who is partnering with The Citizen on the project.
“Ideally we’re looking for a really good mix of media to celebrate The Citizen’s 100th anniversary and to celebrate our local artists and their creative spirit, to celebrate the written word and the letters will represent that,” said Redpath.
“From our perspective it’s an interesting project and we’re always looking for that new and innovative angle on how to display art in the community. I think the front page of the newspaper will have a huge reach for our artists and that’s our mandate – to showcase artists in our community. We’re really happy The Citizen has decided to go ahead with the project because we will get to see the work of 26 amazing artists.”
The Citizen will post all the submitted work in a special section of the paper and in an online gallery.
The Citizen will also display each piece of framed artwork at the newspaper’s offices.
There will also be a public display at a venue not yet announced. The Citizen will include stories and editorials at the beginning and end of the project.
The deadline for the call for proposals is Thursday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. The artist should submit a notice of intent and their curriculum vitae.
The Prince George Community Arts Council is looking for a quick turn around so successful artists will be notified on Monday, Dec. 21.
Those artists selected will be assigned a letter of the alphabet that will be selected by random draw.
The original artwork must be completed by Feb. 1, 2016.
There are already six front pages reserved for six prominent local visual artists. Three of them have been or are employed by The Citizen – Joe Ferrante, Phil Morrison and George Lesniewicz. Past and present Community Arts Council artist in residents program members Cliff Mann, Crystalynn Tarr and Corey Hardeman will also take part.
The arts council and a representative from The Citizen will choose the remaining 20 artists for the project.
Artists are invited to send a notice of intent and resume to Sue Frizzell at arts@studio2880.com by Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.