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Guide for Artists

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The Arts Station is operated by the Fernie District Arts Council, a registered charity administered by a Board of Directors and staff operational team. The Gallery is facilitated by the staff operational team in conjunction with the Gallery Selection Committee (an adhoc independent jury created for each call for entry). The Gallery Selection Committee is responsible for selecting up gallery shows & exhibits for the year. The majority of shows exhibit for one month from the last Thursday of the month to the last Tuesday of the following month. We also have opportunities to host shorter pop-up shows and will consider longer shows across the Spring/Summer months. In addition we are looking to feature artisans in our new Cabin Space. 

Our art gallery is open during our opening hours: General hours Monday – Friday, 10am-9pm, Saturday & Sunday 10-3pm plus events, as well as online at all hours via theartsstation.com. The gallery functions as the entry hall to the building and is a bright space, approximately 5m x 8m with high ceilings, heritage features and a beautiful brick fireplace as a focal point. Large wall spaces are balanced with smaller nooks and a professional hanging and adjustable lighting system create a great space to display many different art forms. We encourage you to visit the space before applying, if possible. Presentation of the artwork should be a consideration when curating your proposed show, with the type of space playing an important role in this. We recommend smaller pieces which lend itself to our Gallery space plus our regular clientele.

The gallery is free to enter, funded as a core program of the Arts Council and through the commission we take on sales. The mission of The Arts Station gallery is to showcase emerging and developing artists in an effort to enrich the local arts and culture community in Fernie. 

The Arts Station encourages applications from all backgrounds, identities and disciplines, and aims to represent the full diversity of the Elk Valley’s cultural landscape. The Artist/s are not required to be a member of the FDAC to exhibit. Each year we aim to feature different art forms such as visual arts, photography, fibre art, pottery, and sculpture. During Arts Station hours the staff are available to answer questions and complete sales or commission requests. 

All exhibit applications are submitted through theartsstation.com. If you need support through our equity framework, or require assistance with the application process, please contact Arts Station staff before the deadline. 

The application form allows for two photos to be attached, either demonstrating the style of work you plan to create or images of work already completed to be included in the show. The remainder of your portfolio should be in a digital format provided in the website/socials/portfolio section. This could be your website, Art social media or a Google Drive folder. If you are unsure about this aspect please contact us to discuss further. 

The Gallery space is not large so we suggest between 10-15 pieces (depending on size or medium). You can provide more pieces but they will not all be hung, the hanging committee has the discretion to select & curate the pieces displayed that best work for the space. This includes pieces that are cultural appropriation. 

Please read the Gallery Policy below, detailing the application and programming procedure, and the Artist Agreement, made between FDAC and exhibiting artists, for a full understanding of what is involved before applying to exhibit at the Arts Station.

Gallery Policy - Application and Programming

  1. The programming and scheduling of the Arts Station Gallery is the responsibility of The Gallery Jury, an extension of the Fernie District Arts Council.
  2. The Gallery Selection Committee consists of members appointed by the FDAC and the FDAC Executive Director. The committee will be composed of individuals who are committed to recognising artistic quality and integrity, regardless of any bias or personal preference, and who value all styles and forms of artistic expression and its production, including original, unique and progressive artwork.
  3. The Gallery Selection Committee will vet applying artists based on their application form only. The Gallery Selection Committee is subject to all FDAC Policies and Procedures, including equity framework.
  4.  Artists are selected based on quality of their application, relevance to our audiences and community and relevance to the FDAC values: encouraging enrichment in people’s lives, individual and community identity, ensuring a legacy, the grass roots being responsive to community needs and opportunities, people’s contributions, diversity and fun.
  5. The Gallery Committee will not consider incomplete applications.
  6. The Gallery Selection Committee will not approve gallery proposals that include artwork previously displayed in past galleries at the Arts Station.
  7. The Gallery Selection Committee will select the artists and notify via email. Once dates are agreed between each party, the artist and the FDAC will sign the Artist Agreement.
  8. Once the Artist Agreement has been signed, the Gallery Selection Committee or FDAC will not cancel the booking of an exhibition, except for in exceptional circumstances as agreed by the FDAC Board or if the artist does not meet the requirements outlined in the artist agreement. However the Gallery exhibit may be rescheduled, relocated or adjusted to online format only in order to meet government regulations.
  9. A one on one meeting between the Executive Director (or equivalent) and artist ahead of the exhibit.
  10. Feedback from the Gallery Committees post exhibit to assist with developing as an artist.

Artist Agreement

  1. The Artist must be the creator and exclusive owner of the artwork unless otherwise specified.
  2. All applicants should consider the issues around cultural appropriation if using the cultural forms, aesthetics or iconography of cultural communities removed from their social, political and cultural roots.
  3. Artist agrees to pay:
    1. A 30% sales commission on all artwork sold while on display at the Arts Station.
    2. A 30% sales commission on additional artwork sold as a result of the exhibit (eg. reprints, commissioned artwork). This agreement remains in effect for the duration of the show and one month after the exhibit closes.
  4. The Fernie and District Arts Council (FDAC) agrees to:
    1. Install the exhibit professionally, with standard labeling and pricing.
    2. To proactively encourage sales, and pass the details of potential customers interested in commissions on to the artist
    3. Process all payments for sales via cash, cheque or card and record purchaser information for pick up and/or delivery.
    4. Pay the Artist the proceeds from sales less the sales commission within three weeks of the exhibit closing date via cheque.
    5. Promote the artist’s exhibition via marketing, online promotions and our website. The artist is encouraged to share these resources with their audience. This promotional material may feature logos from FDAC funders and sponsors which is at the discretion of FDAC staff.
  5. The FDAC staff reserves the right to hold artwork purchased during an exhibit until completion of the exhibit, at which time the purchaser will arrange for pickup or delivery, unless the Artist and staff have agreed upon different terms.
    1. FDAC does not ship work internationally so will allow pieces to leave with visitors.
    2. FDAC will ship within Canada at the cost to the purchaser. This is within reason dependent on size and medium and is at the discretion of staff.
  6. The Gallery Hanging Committee reserves the right to refuse any artwork deemed to be inappropriate for display at the Arts Station.
  7. The Artist agrees to:
    1. Attend a meeting with the Executive Director (or equivalent) at least 4 weeks before their opening with an example of their work to be presented in order to receive feedback and assistance ahead of the show.
    2. Any changes to the proposed exhibit outlined in their application must be submitted in writing to the Executive Director for approval.
    3. Provide an updated artist statement, artist bio and promotional picture/photo at least 6 weeks prior to the exhibit opening.
    4. Provide an artist
    5. Bring all artwork to the Arts Station one week prior to the show opening date (usually a Thursday), unless agreed otherwise with the Executive Director.
    6. A complete typed inventory sheet emailed at least one week prior.
    7. Provide all written materials (statement, bio, inventory) in a typed format; no handwriting
    8. Be willing to feature in artist videos for promotional purposes.
    9. Quality photos of your work (if in frames the glass removed) one week ahead of the show. Assistance can be provided if agreed to ahead of time.
    10. Include proper gallery hanging hardware with artwork. This includes taught wire at the back of the frame, canvas, or other medium. If clarification is needed, please speak with a member of FDAC staff.
    11. List at least 50% of their artwork on exhibit as ‘for sale’ unless it has had prior approval from the gallery committee.
    12. Collect artwork between 10 and 3pm on the Tuesday after that the exhibition closes, unless agreed otherwise with the Executive Director.
    13. The Artist is responsible for insurance coverage (at their discretion) for all artwork for the duration of their exhibit.
    14. It is the Artist’s responsibility to include provincial and federal taxes in the list price of the artwork if they so choose.

Gallery Show & Exhibit Options

Solo Show

Usually one month in length opening the last Thursday of the Month.

Group Show

Arts Station Curated

  • #Fernieart streak Jan/Feb Annually
  • International Women’s Day Show: March
  • More than a Mug: December Annually

Curate Your Own Group Show

  • Suggested July/August
  • Can be a collective of artists or as a few as two.
  • Group shows should have a strong theme to create a unified vision

Cabin Room Feature

A new offering for showcasing small selection of work such as prints, artisanal items i.e. pottery, fibre, mini pieces.

Artisan Craft Fair

6 opportunities to sell artisanal items throughout the year. Ideal for craft and smaller items.

Wednesday Social Showcase

  • Opportunity to showcase to large crowds.
  • Perfect for larger pieces.
  • Ideal for arts & cultural groups.

Top Tips

  • Schedule a meeting with the Executive Director to discuss your ideas before submitting.
  • Smaller artwork works best in the Gallery space plus has higher success of sales.
  • Accessible price points work best for sales of work. Please do not undervalue your work but consider if this Gallery is the right fit for your work.
  • A strong theme creates more engagement for interest in your work. 
  • An accompanying workshop or demonstration is great for engagement.
  • Local artist exhibits work best for first time exhibitors or new bodies of work. If you display elsewhere in Fernie throughout the year consider this when applying, is this show original and unique.
  • Visiting artists from outside of Fernie do not have the same pull that local Fernie artists do. Consider this when applying.