As a member of Blue Ridge Arts Center, you are invited to participate in our Member Challenges. These challenges are hung in the Foyer in coordination with our main gallery shows. Challenges are designed to motivate our members to explore new directions as artists… whether it’s a new medium, color scheme, or subject matter… who knows where it might lead. Artists are encouraged to create new work specifically for the Members’ Challenges, not pull from inventory. Each artist can enter up to two pieces per challenge. This is a free opportunity for our members, but we do ask that you offer these works for sale during the show. Artwork should be pre-registered online, then dropped off during the appropriate drop-off period.
“Landscape of the Mind” – On display: March 15 – April 19, 2024
Close your eyes and let reality fade away. If you could create a landscape of pure imagination, where would it lead you? How would you interpret it when you open your eyes again? We can’t wait to see what you will dream up. There is no cost to enter, but you must be a current member of Blue Ridge Arts Center to participate.
- Register Your Work Online by Thursday, March 7 @ 5pm
- Drop Off Artwork on Friday, March 8 (1-4pm) or Saturday, March 9 (10am-1pm)
- Opening Reception: Friday, March 15 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Closing Reception: Friday, April 19 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Pick Up Artwork: Friday, April 19 (7:00pm) or Saturday, April 20 (10am-4pm)
“Square Foot” – On display: May 17 – June 21, 2024
Twelve inches is all you have for this month’s challenge. Artwork should not exceed twelve inches in any direction after framing/mounting. How will you use your Square Foot? There is no cost to enter, but you must be a current member of Blue Ridge Arts Center to participate.
- Register Your Work Online by Thursday, May 9 @ 5pm
- Drop Off Artwork on Friday, May 10 (1-4pm) or Saturday, May 11 (10am-1pm)
- Opening Reception: Friday, May 17 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Closing Reception: Friday, June 21 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Pick Up Artwork: Friday, June 21 (7:00pm) or Saturday, June 22 (10am-4pm)
“Textured” – On display: July 19 – August 23, 2024
Rough… woven… rocky… slick… raised… dimpled… no two textures are the same. This month, the subject is completely up to you, as long as the tactile quality can be clearly seen and/or felt. There is no cost to enter, but you must be a current member of Blue Ridge Arts Center to participate.
- Register Your Work Online by Thursday, July 11 @ 5pm
- Drop Off Artwork on Friday, July 12 (1-4pm) or Saturday, July 13 (10am-1pm)
- Opening Reception: Friday, July 19 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Closing Reception: Friday, August 23 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Pick Up Artwork: Friday, August 23 (7:00pm) or Saturday, August 24 (10am-4pm)
“Night Scene” – On display: November 15 – December 20, 2024
Once the sun sets and the street lights begin to glow, the world becomes anew. This is your chance to explore the darker side of life, whether it’s the lure of a hidden alley or red eyes hiding in the bushes just outside your door. We can’t wait to see your “Night Scene.” There is no cost to enter, but you must be a current member of Blue Ridge Arts Center to participate.
- Register Your Work Online by Thursday, November 7 @ 5pm
- Drop Off Artwork on Friday, November 8 (1-4pm) or Saturday, November 9 (10am-1pm)
- Opening Reception: Friday, November 15 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Closing Reception: Friday, December 20 (5:30-7:00pm)
- Pick Up Artwork: Friday, December 20 (7:00pm) or Saturday, December 21 (10am-4pm)
Past Shows:
January 19 – February 23, 2024
For January’s Members’ Challenge, we encourage you to think small. Not just literal size but small things that make us smile, like babies, puppies, kittens, and lady bugs. Even a ‘little’ subject can make a big impression in the hands of our artists. There is no cost to enter, but you must be a current member of Blue Ridge Arts Center to participate.