The Atrium Gallery at Ball State University will host the political art exhibition “Farewell to the Wasteland.” This exhibit will occur in conjunction with “The Art of Democracy.” AOD is a national coalition of political art exhibitions taking place in the Fall of 2008 which intend to reflect the dire state of the American politics. (See www.artofdemocracy.org) The exhibitions affiliated with AOD focus attention on critical issues in these days leading up to a crucial event in the lives of Americans – the presidential election.

Other venues for AOD, just to name a few, include: National Arts Club, New York; Loyola University Museum of Art, Chicago; several San Francisco area galleries, including the Meridian Gallery, and the Center for the Book.

Each venue affiliated with AOD will have a different focus. At the Atrium Gallery, “Farewell to the Wasteland” intends to look back at the last eight years in American history. Years that could be described as tumultuous, wasteful, rancorous, partisan, and misguided.

Requirements and considerations for entries and submissions to “Farwell to the Wasteland” are listed below.

• It is an open call to artists 18 or older living and working in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. Additionally, there will be a small selection of invited participants.


• There will be no entry fee.


• All shipping and handling of entries and accepted submissions will be the responsibility of the artists.


• Submit artwork with a political viewpoint that is hard-hitting and emotional. We want artworks that are reflective of current issues that face us now and relate to our theme “Farewell to the Wasteland.”


• The exhibition is open to all types of media.


• Submitted artwork must have been made during the George W. Bush administration (2001-2008).


• Entries must be submitted in the form of slides or digital files.

Jurors for this exhibition are Ball State University art professors Scott Anderson, Bill Zack, Fred Bower, and Jacinda Russell.

“Farewell to the Wasteland” will be on display from October 7 – November 4, 2008.

The prospectus with entry form is available for download from Art_of_Democracy_BSU.pdf or www.bsu.edu/art/atrium.

Calendar: deadline for entries, July 25; notification of accepted entries, August 8; deadline for receiving work, September 22; return of work, November 10.

On the evening of Election Day, the Atrium Gallery will host a closing reception. Can you think of a better place to spend election night?

CONTACT: Scott Anderson sanderso@bsu.edu