Posting Date: January 31, 2025
Deadline: March 31, 2025, or until all opportunities are claimed
Project Description
Arts Council Wood Buffalo (ACWB) is looking for local visual artists, including but not limited to illustrators, photographers, printmakers or painters to participate in a new project, Words & Birds Wood Buffalo.
Participating visual artists will be provided with a maximum of two (2) birch panels (10”x10”) and asked to create artwork featuring a pre-selected local bird. Birds must be selected from a list provided by ACWB. Completed artworks will be featured in exhibition and sold in support of Arts INC. Visual artwork will be displayed alongside local poetry, which will explore themes associated with wild birds, flight, and nature.
About the Theme
Words & Birds Wood Buffalo celebrates the vibrant connection between visual arts, literary arts, and nature, by focusing on the beauty and symbolism of our region’s wild birds. This theme invites both visual and literary artists to draw inspiration from the graceful presence of wild birds, exploring their connection to flight, freedom, and the natural world.
Visual artists are asked to select their birds prior to commencing work, in order to ensure the final exhibition depicts the biodiversity of Wood Buffalo and the boreal forest.
Work Media
ACWB will provide birch panels, and artists are responsible for acquiring all additional materials and supplies necessary for their artistic process. Artists can work in whatever medium they choose, utilising the birch panels provided.
Artwork will be displayed on panels or walls and must be able to be wired for hanging. Three dimensional artwork meant to be displayed on a flat surface or not able to be displayed vertically will not be accepted for this project. ACWB will handle the installation of hardware for hanging.
Participation Requirements
ACWB welcomes participation from both established and emerging artists. Participation in Words & Birds Wood Buffalo is open to any artist living within the Wood Buffalo region.
Maximum of 2 artworks per participating artist. In order to participate, please complete our online form by March 31, 2025.
Project Timeline
- Applications must be received by March 31, 2025, via our online form.
- Panel pick-up will be arranged, but must be completed by April 3, 2025.
- Completed artwork must be returned to Arts Council Wood Buffalo by June 25, 2025
- Exhibition will take place September, 2025 (Details TBC)
Selection Process
Artist participation will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Artists can expect to receive confirmation within 3-5 business days of completing the application form.
Sale of Artwork
Participating artists are volunteering their time and expertise to create the completed artworks, which will be sold for $120 each. Funds raised will support Arts Council Wood Buffalo in the development of Arts INC, a campus for creativity in downtown Fort McMurray.
Intellectual Property
Participating visual artists will retain the intellectual property rights to their work, including the ability to create prints, cards, or digital displays, and to publish the artwork. However, the original artwork created for the Words & Birds project will be sold by ACWB in support of Arts INC.To maintain the uniqueness of the project, artists must not display, reprint, or publish the work prior to the exhibition launch or for three months following the event.
How to Apply
Interested visual artists are asked to complete our application form by March 31, 2025.
Contact Information
Jamal-e-Fatima Rafat
Programs Consultant
jamal@artscouncilwb.ca
Words & Birds Wood Buffalo: List of Birds
(Note: Each bird can only be chosen twice, meaning a maximum of two artworks will depict the same bird. Once a bird has been selected twice, it will be removed from the application form.)
- Black-billed Magpie
- Common Raven
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Redpoll
- White-winged Crossbill
- Canada Jay
- Blue Jay
- Willow Ptarmigan
- Pine Grosbeak
- Downy Woodpecker
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Golden Eagle
- Mallard
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Snowy Owl
- American Robin
- Snow Goose
- Common Merganser
- Evening Grosbeak
- Song Sparrow
- Bohemian Waxwing
- Short-eared Owl
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Bufflehead
- Common Loon
- Wilson’s Snipe
- American Herring Gull
- Bald Eagle
- Trumpeter Swan
