“We Were Here”: Delaware County today through the lens of its residents. 

A Media Arts Council and Delaware County Historical Society Photography Exhibition

Call for submissions archived below:

Submission Details

This exhibition is open to all photographers, professional and amateur alike, living or working within Delaware County, Pennsylvania. 

The Media Arts Council is seeking photographs from local artists and photographers (both professional and amateur) taken throughout Delaware County, Pennsylvania. These photos should highlight the people and places that are important parts of our communities. We are hoping to capture not only documents of what is here, but also the spirit, energy, and personality that sets Delaware County apart from other places to live. Photographers should also think about the artistic merits of their photos and take into consideration: Composition, lighting, perspective, and visual storytelling where appropriate. 

*All photos selected for the exhibition will enter into Delaware County Historical Society’s permanent archive, to be preserved as history for future generations. We ask that all the photos submitted were taken within the past 10 years.*

About this Exhibition

This gallery will be part of a larger exhibition entitled, “We Were Here: The Art and Artifacts of Delaware County 100 Years Ago and Today.” The show will include artifacts, art, and photography from the permanent collection of the Delaware County Historical Society. The juxtaposition of items from the early 20th century and today will be highlighted. 

Juror: Claudia Eckel Buchanan

Claudia Buchanan is an artist and art educator who lives and works in Delaware County. Claudia has shown works in solo and group shows throughout Pennsylvania, including exhibitions curated by the Speer Gallery, the State Museum in Harrisburg, Moore College of Art and Design, and The Plastic Club. Claudia received the O'Neill/Rubin award for the "Outstanding Thesis Presentation" at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where she earned her MFA in 2017. She has also been recognized as an art educator, receiving the SunEast Federal Credit Union’s “Best Teacher Under the Sun” award in 2016. She has presented at numerous Pennsylvania Art Education Association conferences and worked to inspire the next generation of art educators as an adjunct professor at the University of the Arts. 

Submission Deadline

All entries must be received by January 10, 2024 through the entry form below.

Entry Fees

1 Entry: $10.00

2 Entries: $15.00

3-5 Entries: $20.00

Entry fee is non-refundable.

Cash Awards

1st Prize: $100.00

2nd Prize: $50.00

Media Arts Council and Delaware County Historical Society board members, employees, and their family members may enter and be accepted for exhibit but will not be eligible to be judged for awards and prizes.

Image Submissions

All submitted images must by uploaded digitally to the form below and follow these specifications:

-File Format & Size: JPG, 2400px on longest side

-File Name: First Last_Title Of Work_Location_Price.jpg

(Example John Doe_Wawa Farms_Middletown Township_150.jpg)

We will not accept any works unless the file format, file name, and image sizes are as listed

DO NOT embed any information in the image area itself, such as name, copyright, logo, etc., to keep judging anonymous.

All images will be judged individually, regardless of whether they are part of a series.

No physical artwork will be accepted at initial submission

Notification of Acceptance

All selected and non-selected artists will be notified by February 1st, 2024 at the email address they provided in their submission. 

Sales and Commission

Your price should reflect the item “as is”, including the frame and/or matte. Note that MAC takes 40% of sales and factor that in to your sales price. PA 6% sales tax  will be added on top of the listed price at the time of purchase. 

MAC will exhibit works that are not for sale. Please clearly indicate that they are “NFS”. 

Exhibit

Exhibition Dates: March 1-March 31st 2024

Opening Reception:  Friday, March 1, 2024 from 5-7pm at the MAC Arts Center, 11 E State St. Media, PA

Awards will be announced during the Opening Reception. Checks will be sent via postal mail afterwards. 

Liability

While every effort to properly care for work is made, the Media Arts Council is not responsible for the loss or damage of work while in transit or during the exhibition. Artists should provide their own insurance coverage. Submission into the exhibition indicates acceptance of these conditions. A Hold Harmless Agreement must  be signed  prior to delivery of your work.

Framed Works

All physical pieces must be “hang-ready” and must have all hardware secured and fastened to allow for each piece to be hung from a single wire in the center of the piece. No “claws” or hanging clips will be accepted. Works not suitable for hanging will be rejected. 

All physical pieces must be framed at a dimension smaller than (<) 36″ on its longest side regardless of the final image size. Please contact the Media Arts Council regarding works submitted that are already framed at a larger size and we will see if we can accommodate.

The following presentations are acceptable:

– Framed with or without matte

– Gallery wrapped canvas

– Photographs on metal panel

– Standouts

Please place a label of some fashion on the back of your work so that we may identify each piece. Caution: Do not write on the back of the photographic print itself, which could cause an impression or bleed through to the front of the finished work.

All physical pieces must be hand delivered to the MAC Arts Center on Sunday February 25, 2024 between the hours of 12pm and 4pm. No deliveries, mail, or courier services will be accepted.

MAC is not responsible for adjustments to poorly framed or prepared art. Improperly prepared works will not be exhibited.

The exhibit ends April 21st. All physical works must be picked up by Saturday, April 27.

MAC will not be responsible for packing, delivering, or shipping works.

Any works not retrieved by the published last retrieval time will be subject to a $10 per piece storage fee. If not retrieved within 30 days, the works will become part of the MAC permanent collection.