2025 VAS Members Show “Chiaroscuro: The Interplay of Light and Shadow”

CALL FOR ENTRY – August 25, 2025

Our theme this year, is “Chiaroscuro: The Interplay of Light and Shadow.” Visual artists have been using the interplay of light and shadow, called chiaroscuro, for hundreds of years. One only needs to look at paintings by masters such as Vermeer, da Vinci, Goya, Caravaggio, Reubens, Rembrandt, or Raphael, to see the power of this style to produce 3 dimensional forms and enhance the illusion of depth . Although chiaroscuro is usually interpreted as having very strong contrasts between light and shadow, for this show, artists are challenged to highlight the interplay more generally; examples could be the emphasis of rough textures, using strongly contrasting colors, or dark subjects against a light background (the reverse is equally valid). Show us how you use light and shadow to tell your story, or direct the viewers’ attention to your work.

Here are links to 3 Youtube videos if you need a bit more info on the concept of chiaroscuro:

• https://youtu.be/DY2Bd_RuUks?si=pbAtPyt7Tl7S3XMF
• https://youtu.be/7uwR14oG7qA?si=Squjnmd5NqN6ojSi
• https://youtu.be/8PopSolMTTQ?si=vCe90RYCSSPxzk_g

We accept abstract, drawing, mixed media, painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), sculpture, studio fine crafts (glass, printmaking, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, fiber art, metal art etc), photography, digital art and AI-mediated art (Generative AI must be only a portion of the imagery. Submissions must be original and not plagiarized from existing AI-generated models, datasets, or other artists’ work. Artists should provide a brief description of their creative process, including how the AI was utilized to produce the final piece.For entry into our exhibitions please note your process in the text box on the form.)

You can submit up to 5 pieces. All submissions must be family-friendly and meet the general theme of the show. Entries cannot have been exhibited in a previous Visual Art Society or Brazos Valley Art League show. Entries cannot have been exhibited in a local gallery within the last 6 months. Only one of your pieces can be 24″x30″ or larger; the rest must be smaller due to the size of the gallery. Due to the popularity of this show, we will have a panel of VAS members who will jury the show (choose the pieces that will be accepted). We want to include everyone’s work, but that may not be possible. We won’t know until the deadline. Like most juried shows, your entry fees will not be refunded if some of your your art is not chosen.

If you are not a current member, you may join or renew online.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Online submissions open: May 6, 2025
• Submission deadline: August 25, 2025
• Notification: by Thursday, August 28, 2025 (if you need to know sooner, contact shows@visualartsociety.org
• Art Drop-off: Wednesday, September 3 (10am-5pm) at Degallery, 930 N Rosemary Dr., Bryan TX 77802. If you cannot make this time contact Daria Dega tomake arrangements for drop off by emailing shows@visualartsociety.org. Items may be shipped to Degallery c/o Visual Art Society and must arrive with prepaid return shipping label, properly labeled for show and ready to hang, prior to September 3.
• Opening Reception: September 5 (6pm-8pm)
• Unsold Art Pickup: to be announced. Contact Daria Dega at shows@visualartsociety.org before the pickup date, if you cannot pick up during this time frame.

CONDITIONS & REQUIREMENTS

The general theme for this show is “Chiaroscuro: The Interplay of Light and Shadow.” Every artist deals with light and shadow in some form, so feel free to interpret the theme as you wish.

Commissions from sales will be divided with 60% to the artist, 20% to VASBCS, 20% to DEGALLERY.

Degallery and VAS kindly request that any artwork displayed for sale in the upcoming VAS show be priced the same as if offered for sale through the artist’s studio, website, or art platform for the duration of the show, and for 30 days after the show closes. If a collector contacts you to purchase a piece on display in the show, please refer them to Degallery. Additionally, if a piece is sold within 30 days of the show closing, Degallery and VAS request that you collect and pay the commissions (20% for VAS + 20% for Degallery) as if the piece had been sold during the exhibition. This will go far to maintain a good faith relationship between artist and gallery.

All works sold and unsold should remain in the show until the closing date. Any works removed early must be with the approval of the VAS show chair.

All art must be picked up during the allotted time unless special arrangements have been made ahead of time.

You can submit up to 5 pieces. All submissions must be family-friendly and meet the general theme of the show. Entries cannot have been exhibited in a previous Visual Art Society or Brazos Valley Art League show. Entries cannot have been exhibited in a local gallery within the last 6 months. Only one of your pieces can be 24″x30″ or larger; the rest must be smaller due to the size of the gallery.

Images of the entry/entries must be submitted by jpg, jpeg, or png files (no larger than 4 MB) for jurying into the show. Uploading of images is part of the entry process and more information is provided on the entry form. Your images should be sharp & clear. Your images should not include matting or framing, only the piece of art itself. It is important that your work be well represented. Images of accepted works may be posted on the VAS website along with award winning artists from the show. By entering you grant permission to VAS reproduce the artwork in the marketing materials or on the VAS website, for promotional and educational purposes.

VAS reserves the right to refuse to show any entry not accurately represented by the images submitted during entry or not suitably presented for exhibition. 

Accepted entries for the show must be wired properly for hanging so the hanging committee does not have problems. If any of the pieces are extremely heavy or particularly fragile in framing, they will not be included in the exhibit without advanced special arrangements with the hanging committee. No saw tooth hangers or clip on frames will be accepted. All artwork must be completely dry and ready to hang or display when submitted during intake for the show/exhibit. VAS reserves the right to exclude works from the exhibition that are not gallery-ready and professional in presentation. HERE is a presentation by Dr. Dary Dega on how to prepare your art for a show.

All sculptures/pottery must have a stable base.

Drawings and pastels must be under glass or acrylic.

The following information must be attached to back of the art work: Artist Name, Mailing Address, Phone, Email, Selling Price, Title, & Medium for this show.  This label form may be downloaded and used but is not required.

Artists are responsible for all delivery, pick up and insurance for the works submitted. 

WHAT IS MY FEE USED FOR?

The Brazos Valley Art League, dba Visual Art Society of Bryan-College Station, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization operated by volunteers who are artists and art appreciators, for artists, with no reserve or endowment. All proceeds from entry fees fund project-related expenses. Not unlike paying a fee to enter a marathon race, your entry fee democratically enables our organization’s projects to happen. For over 50 years the Visual Art Society has earned a reputation for producing quality exhibits, benefitting the artists involved and the public, on its meager budget. Our all volunteer board of directors and small dedicated team of members work hard to make involvement with VAS projects well worth the effort and cost to do so.

Simply by participating in a VAS project or becoming a member you are helping this grass-roots organization do its work and achieve its mission.