The 7th Annual October Spooktacular Open Call For Art

Thank you for your interest in the 7th Annual October Spooktacular Art Show. This is a yearly visual arts exhibition that features artists local to Augusta, Ga’s River Region and their spooky creations. This year to be displayed in Le Chat Noir from September 30 – November 4, 2023. It is organized and curated by local artist and Hallow-queen Heather René Dunaway.

This year’s exhibition will be shown in the Le Chat Noir and run from September 30th – November 4th, 2023, with an Artist’s Reception on Friday, October 20th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

In 2017, Heather René Dunaway organized her first ever October Spooktacular art show for her and her fellow artist friends to celebrate the spooky season. Since then, it has developed into an annual showcase of local Halloween themed art. As a lover of all things spooky, dressing up and theatrics, it seemed a natural shift to display the 7th iteration in Le Chat Noir, who hosts the annual Black Cat Carnival.

Le Chat Noir opened its doors in 2006.They act as a performing arts center, theatre and arts venue. To date, they have produced over a hundred shows most of which were Augusta premieres and have been host to over one thousand events. Le Chat Noir has acted as benefactors to a variety of local charities, donating use of the facility, production services, and sometimes cold hard cash to nonprofits like Champions Made from Adversity, CSRA Humane Society, Greater Augusta Arts Council, the Augusta Players, Storyland, Davidson Fine Arts, Jessye Norman School of the Arts, to name a few. They annually provide a forum for arts education groups like Les Chatons Noir, Youth Leadership Augusta, and the Augusta Players Summer Camp. Cultivation has always been a priority of their overall mission. Annually, they host the Black Cat Carnival, which has become a staple for Halloween fun in Downtown Augusta, GA. Despite being one of the youngest performance arts groups in the CSRA, Le Chat Noir has established itself as a cultural pillar of the arts’ community.

The deadline to submit for the 7th Annual October Spooktacular will be Friday, August 18th by 11:59 PM. Submissions can be proposals for not yet completed artworks. There is no time range for when works have to have been made. Artists that have been selected will be announced on Friday, August 25th by 7:00 PM.

To be considered for this showcase the following must be met:

1. Artworks must be spooky. Halloween is interpreted in many ways, from scary to cutesy. All interpretations are accepted. Artworks do not need to be family friendly this year.

2. Artworks must be made by the artist submitting.

3. Artists must live in the Augusta River Region (Includes the counties of Richmond, Columbia, Burke and McDuffie in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield in South Carolina).

4. Nothing larger than 18 ” x 24″ (before framing). We have limited space available. Weight must not exceed 25lbs.

5. All artworks must be hangable. We require wiring. Please, no hole, claw, single ring hangers, or taped/glued string on frames. Works that are not wired properly will not be hung in this showcase.

6. Artists are responsible for insuring their artwork(s). Le Chat Noir owners, staff nor Heather Dunaway will be held liable for damages, theft or vandalizations that may occur.

7. All selected works must be finished, dry, presentable and ready to hang (from wire) by 1pm on Saturday, September 20, 2023. All works must be labeled on the back with artist’s and artwork’s information.

8. All artworks must be for sale. The gallery recommends $300.00 or less. There is no commission taken from the sales of artwork.

There is a $30 participation fee. This fee helps to cover the cost of organizing, hosting and promoting this showcase. Links to make this payment will be sent to selected artists with the notification of acceptance into the show.

All gallery sales will be processed through Le Chat Noir or a curator Heather Dunaway (reception only). Checks for artworks sold through Le Chat Noir will be cut for artists at the close of the showcase and be made available on pick up day, November 4th after 1:00pm or during Le Chat Noir’s business hours. Payments made through Heather Dunaway during the reception will be sent through Paypal, Venmo, or Apple Pay.

All works remain in the gallery until the exhibition is closed. Any sold works will be distributed to the buyers by Heather Dunaway and Le Chat Noir at the close of the showcase. Any unsold artworks will need to be picked up by the artist or a representative of the artist on November 4th at 1:00 p.m. Any abandoned artwork will become property of Le Chat Noir to do with as they see fit. If alternative pick-up arrangements need to be made, please email Heather at [email protected]

Space is limited! Each artist will be able to submit up to two works in the form below to be featured. This does not guarantee that all works will be selected. Works chosen will depend on the amount of wall space, submissions, and general feel for the show. We encourage all artists interested in showing to visit Le Chat Noir prior to submitting to get a sense of the space.

Artists who have artworks selected to be featured in this exhibition must plan to sign a Gallery Contract and provide a complete inventory of artworks. If works sold total more than $600, artists will need to sign a W9 in order to receive payment.