UNBOUND! FAQ
What is UnBound!?
UnBound! is typically the only open call held each year by Candela Gallery in Richmond, Virginia. The exhibition is dedicated to featuring a wide range of photographic artworks, fine art photography, and artists’ books from 40-50 fine art photographers. UnBound! generates opportunities and exposure beyond the traditional group or juried show by providing a collection opportunity for artists.
Our hope is that photographers will support our UnBound! exhibition with their active participation just as we hope to support their work and careers in return. All accepted artists will have their artwork featured at our gallery space in the downtown arts district in Richmond.
What does “juried + invitational” mean?
Though the majority of the works included in the UnBound! exhibition are selected from the jurying process, we also try to invite around five artists to participate each year. We look for notable artists who are farther along in their photographic careers or bring something unique or exciting to the show. This allows any emerging participating artists to share space with seasoned photographers, and makes for an even more exciting line item on an emerging CV.
Who juries the show?
The photographs are juried by the small staff at Candela Books: Gordon Stettinius, Ashby Nickerson, and Whitney Cole. Occasionally, we will allow current interns to sit in on the process as well!
What is the Candela Collection?
The mission of the Candela Collection is to support photographers through the purchase of original photographic work and to actively pursue opportunities to donate said works to notable permanent collections. The Candela Collection is designed to provide collection and sale opportunities for emerging and established artists.
Each summer, Candela Gallery hosts a fundraising gala in tandem with the UnBound! Exhibition. With the funds raised from this exhibition, the gallery is able to select pieces from UnBound! to add to the growing Candela Collection.
When an artist’s work is acquired using the raised funds, they receive their standard cut (as if they had made a normal sale to a collector). Instead of retaining its standard gallery cut, Candela uses the 40-50% “made” from the sale of the work to buy additional works for the Collection. This essentially is like buying the work at wholesale, allowing the money raised to have double the buying power.
Who can submit work?
We encourage anyone from hobbyists, teachers, and seasoned professionals to submit. As long as the work is photographic in origin, we welcome any perspective!
How much does it cost to submit?
Submissions for UnBound! are always free.
What sort of work should I submit?
While the show is photographic in essence, we encourage any interpretation of the photographic process or experience. UnBound! has seen the likes of digital prints, darkroom work, alternative processes, mixed media, and sculptural interpretations of photography. To take a look at what has gone into the permanent collection, click here. To see last year’s UnBound! works, click here.
How do I submit my work?
We use Google Forms for our submission platform. You can click here to submit.
I don’t have a Google account, so I’m unable to use the Google form to submit. What should I do?
You can always make one - it’s free!
If you’d prefer not to create a gmail account, you are welcome to use our application for non-gmail users.
CLICK HERE FOR NON-GMAIL APPLICATION
When is the submission deadline?
Submissions for UnBound13! are due FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.
I have work that’s photographic in nature, but there’s a unique component that I can’t submit via the form provided. What should I do?
We encourage you to submit your application like normal with thumbnails of your work at the very least. If there’s something exceptionally unique to your work, like a moving component or additional element that you’d like to express (that can’t be conveyed in still images alone), please reach out to unboundsubmissions@candelabooks.com with the subject line “Re: [Last Name, First Name] - UnBound13! Application” after you’ve submitted your application and attach a small video or PDF file supplemental material with a brief explanation of the work in the body of the email.
I am part of a duo or group looking to submit a collaborative project. Is that accepted?
We welcome collaborative projects. You may either fill in the submission under one name and include the collaborators’ information within the artist bio/statement fields, or you can list the last names and first names with commas (ex: Jones, Nguyen, Thompson; Barbara, Mark, Sheila). Feel free to email unboundsubmissions@candelabooks.com for additional questions about collaborative projects.
If I am accepted, how does shipping work?
Because we do not charge for the submission process, we ask that you cover the cost of shipment to and from the gallery. In the event that your work is sold, we will reimburse the cost of the return shipping. We ask that all participating artists include a prepaid return shipping label in the package with their shipped piece(s).
When do I need to have my work delivered to the gallery?
All participating artist’s must have their signed and presentation-ready work delivered to Candela by Tuesday, June 18th, 2024
All participating artists must have their presentation ready work delivered to the gallery upon sale of item(s).
Where do I ship my work?
All work should be shipped to:
Candela Books + Gallery
214 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
804.225.5527
What does it mean that my work has to be “presentation ready?”
We expect all participating artists to ship their work in the condition it will be shown and potentially sold. If the work needs to be mounted, framed, or hung, all framing and hardware should be complete and ready to go on the wall upon arrival. All work should be signed, or include a signed certificate of authenticity, in the event your work is acquired for the Collection or sold to a collector.
Looking for assistance preparing your work? Accepted artists will receive support materials, and are more than welcome to reach out with any questions.
How much does the show cost for visitors?
The gallery is always free to visit during normal hours. If you are interested in a guided tour for students or large groups, please email us at info@candelabooks.com.
If I sell a piece, how is that split with the gallery?
Candela gallery will retain a 50% sales commission from the sale of artworks, and a 40% commission for artist’s books. All funds raised during UnBound! will be used to purchase work for the Candela Collection.
Where is Candela Gallery?
Candela Books + Gallery is located in the Arts District of Richmond, Virginia. Our address is 214 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220.
TIPS FOR SUBMITTING TO UNBOUND!
Follow the instructions.
It sounds obvious, but it’s an easy one to slip on. When we are working with a lot of different people, it is important that we can efficiently review submissions and communicate with all of the artists. If an applicant can’t follow simple instructions, it may not convey the work properly or may signal a potential difficulty with future correspondence.
Include photographs of the finished object, preferably in a well-lit space like a gallery.
We are interested in your work – especially in the quality of the final piece. Will this piece hold up if it goes home to a collector or if it goes into storage for 10 years before we can donate the collection to an institution? If it doesn’t seem like it will, we will probably pass on the work this time.
Have an easily-navigable web or social media page.
Once we get through the initial round or two of jurying, we’ll begin digging into considered individuals to learn more about their other projects and experience. Sometimes we have to say no to initially compelling work because the website doesn’t exist or is too conceptually designed and/or disorganized to quickly find information we need.
Focus on succinct explanations of your work’s processes and concepts.
When looking at artist statements, we are hoping to quickly understand the concepts behind your work, as well as the processes involved in the creation. How are you physically making the final works? For us specifically, we prioritize including different processes and we highlight that when considering work for the exhibition. Abstract or overly-indulgent language not only makes it difficult to understand your process, it can sometimes detract from the intention of your work.
Consider the final presentation of the work in terms of years.
Presentation-ready works are works that are of a quality consistent with any gallery or museum exhibition. The goal of proper presentation is not only to provide a pleasant, non-distracting viewing experience, but to ensure stability and longevity. Photographic prints should be appropriately mounted and/or framed on archival papers using archival methods to fasten them. Prints should be protected but not touching the glazing. Frames should be able to withstand the weight of glass and hung with appropriate hardware.
Often, we are smitten with an artist’s process or drawn to someone with a perspective from an under-represented part of the photo community, but at the end of the day their processes are not archival enough for us to be able to sell or collect. If we hope to donate our current collection to an institution or museum, all of that work must be able to hold up, not only for the amount of time it is in storage with us, but once it is permanently at its final destination.
DIGITAL PRINTING
Archival papers and file handling are key to creating lasting photographic prints. Unless the artist is an experienced photographic printer, we suggest going to a professional for printing services if exhibiting work.
If you are printing on your own and would like some tips, feel free to email whitney@candelabooks.com to get our DIY printing tips for emerging photographers.
MOUNTING/MATTING
Mounting minimizes buckling or waves in prints and keeps them off of framing glass. For larger prints, this becomes necessary to maintain clean presentation and protects the print from damage due to humidity or settling.
Matting can be an alternative to mounting, especially for smaller prints. The print is placed on a piece of backing mat board with photo corners or a light archival adhesive, and another piece is placed on top of the print, creating a window that holds the print in place. Mounting is also a nice way to present photos in a frame with a larger dimension (eg; 8x10 image in an 11x14 frame)
SPACERS
To best preserve the surface of the print, it is important to keep anything from touching that surface, including your framing glass or acrylic. Spacers are placed between the inside edge of the frame and the edges of your print/mat/whatever your print is mounted on.
GLAZING
Whether you use glass or acrylic, it’s good to look for an option with UV protection to ensure the longevity of your print. Museum glass and UV acrylic are top choices for artists exhibiting framed works because they protect the print and minimize glare.
Shipping with glass: glass, especially in larger works, needs to be packaged incredibly carefully to avoid a box of shards upon arrival. Some artists opt for a high quality acrylic, which decreases the chances of breaking in transit and requires slightly less expensive/painstaking packaging.
Note about inexpensive plexi options: these can have a noticeable wave and/or glare in the surface and could be a distraction from the work.
SUBMIT TO
UNBOUND13!
Want to support the UnBound! mission?
You are always welcome to contribute to the fund. 100% of the profits from your purchase or gift helps us continue to store, maintain, and conserve current work while funding opportunities for UnBound! artists.