Exhibition and Altar Contest / Portraits of the Dead project

Exhibition dates October 23- November 20, 2010
Curated by: Maurizzio Hector Pineda
Gala reception November 2, 2010

The Day of the Dead is an annual tradition celebrated throughout Latin America and in Latino communities in the US. In the Mission District, el dia de los muertos has a rich and vibrant history that honors the everyday presence of the dead within our lives during the months of October and November. Artists of all mediums are encouraged to submit proposals for this juried contest on the theme: “Death Becomes You/La Muerte Eres Tú.”

The Contest consists of two Altar Project elements:

• First, Traditional Altar projects based on an aesthetic that honors friends and family who have passed.
• Second, Contemporary Altar projects rely on themes related to social political issues, conceptual ideas addressing death or destruction.
• Finally, the ‘Portraits of the Dead’ project. We invite everyone to submit photographs of people, friends and family that have passed.

Participants are encouraged to research and participate in the Altar making workshops offered at the end of September at MCCLA.

• Traditional Altar: Have strong elements of photos honoring people, family, friends, marigolds, and favorite foods/beverages/personal items of the departed.

• Contemporary Altar: Bridge Traditional Altar elements with Contemporary elements of artistic practice.

Altar Prizes:

$500.00 Best Traditional
$500.00 Best Contemporary Altar/Installation

Altar Entries: Please submit entry form along with a $15.00 check, entry fee, and payable to: Mission Cultural Center for Latino Art (MCCLA), a statement of intent, and a drawing or draft of your proposed altar or installation. Label your entry with: Name, Title, dimensions, and contact information.

• Portraits of the Dead Project: Is a free open invitation to the community to bring photographs of friends, persons or family members who have passed. This project requires a non-returnable 8x10 framed photo with stand attached. These photographs will be part of a large-scale installation. Please submit entry form and include the name of the person in the portrait along with a brief description of their life. Please do not submit original photography, MCCLA is not responsible for the frame or the photographs in the project. Submitted photographs will not be returned.

Important Dates:

September 25: All entries must be postmarked, last day to hand deliver or email to gallery@missionculturalcenter.org
October 1: Altar Selection Announcement
October 9: Participating Altar Artist Orientation (Mission Cultural Center 2nd floor, Main Gallery, 6 pm)
October 11-22: Altar Installation
November 2: Reception

The Day of the Dead is a celebration of life and focuses on the memories and desires of the dearly departed. For this contest we ask printmakers to observe and reflect on memories of their loved ones and celebrate through art posters.
To participate you need to be over age 18. PRINTMAKERS ONLY

PRIZES:
1st place gets $200 and 1 month studio rental (screen or etching) in Mission Gráfica.
Also poster selected will be printed and reproduced for the Day of the Dead Festivities.
2nd place gets $150 + 1 week studio rental
3rd place gets $100 + 1 day rental

POSTER REQUIREMENTS:
Your image has to be submitted as a jpeg or tiff with a 300dpi on a CD
Please label CD’s with your name, title and phone number.
Your image can not be larger than 12in x 19in.
Image must be printable for screen printing- Up to 4 colors,
no CMYK process.

Please submit entry form and a check payable to
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts and send to:
Mission Grafica, Day of the Dead Poster Contest, MCCLA
2868 Mission Street, San Francisco CA 94110
We also accept Visa and Mastercard.
For credit payment call 415-821-1155
Entry fees can be sent to or dropped off in our office.
MCCLA Staff and Teachers are not allowed to participate.

For further information please contact MG coordinator at
415-643-2786 or send an email to grafica@missionculturalcenter.org

Mole Tasting and Contest / Wed. November 17, 2010, 7-10pm
Celebrate and taste a variety of Moles from regions throughout Mexico.
Prizes will go to the people's choice and the judges' selection.
You will be asked to vote too!
The contest will be in the MCCLA Gallery, where you can check out our Day of the Dead Exhibition and Traditional and Contemporary Altars.

For questions about participating, write to: galleryasst@missionculturalcenter.org
Check the MCCLA website in September for rules and applications.