Surfing Madonna
"Save the Ocean 5"
Art and Poetry Exhibit

Deadline: March 2, 2025                                                                          

 “Save the Ocean 5” is a popular regional cash award show highlighting the excellence of local artists. This art and poetry exhibition celebrates the richness and diversity of the ocean environment by welcoming a variety of mediums from a full range of demographics to share their experience about the ocean world. We curate the creative contributions from visual artists, poets and the musicians at our reception, to offer the community a diverse oceanic experience.

Front Porch Gallery in collaboration with Surfing Madonna Oceans Project endeavors to promote a love for and understanding of the fragile coastal environment by encouraging people to be stewards and caretakers of the ocean, to appreciate what we have and preserve it for future generations. What better way to do that than to have our artistic experts show us their inspiring creations based on the energy and stories they see when expressing the ocean environment. 

Artists will have the opportunity to share their experience at Docent Tours, and poets will be invited to read at the reception. Throughout the exhibition we’ll host opportunities for the community to view the work and experience creative engagements at the gallery through making, discussing, and viewing programs. Awards given for exceptional and thought provoking visual artwork and poetry – see info below.

 

Surfing Madonna Oceans Project was founded by artist Mark Patterson who created the Surfing Madonna mosaic in Encinitas, next to Leucadia Pizza. Mark passed in 2023 but the organization continues to support all the arts through exhibitions, and collaborating with artists and other arts organizations. In the summer Surfing Madonna provides Special Needs Surf Camps for 200 kids to spend time at the beach and learn to surf! 

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Participation Guidelines for Artists and Poets:

All Mediums Accepted, Free Submissions, 2 entries per artist, CA resident, No Prints, No AI, All Original Work

Size Restriction: All sizes considered, however we are limited to the gallery space available and the number of accepted artists will affect the selection.

Selection Process: In choosing the accepted pieces, the created artwork and the statements about the pieces will be considered. Consider what we are able to say about your work on a Docent Tour, Why is it interesting? Why is it unique? What is the message? These are good things to consider when crafting your artwork statement. 

Jurors: Cathy Carey, Front Porch Gallery Director of Programming and Mike Redman, President of Surfing Madonna Oceans Project, Best in Show Judge

 

Exhibition Dates: March 26 – May 28, 2025

Reception: March 29 from 12 – 2PM Poetry Readings,

Tower 7 surf guitar band, refreshments

Participation Benefits: As an artist in the show, we will promote you in our social media, newsletters, inclusion in the reception, QR codes that viewers access from labels that give a deep dive into your work. 60% of art sales go directly to the exhibiting artist, no entry fees.

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Artists Info: Upload to https://saveocean5.artcall.org Deadline: March 2, 2025 11:59PM

Notified of Acceptance: March 5, 2025

Drop Off Artworks: Thursday March 20 and Friday March 21 from 11PM – 5PM

Pick up Artworks: Thursday May 29 and Friday May 30 from 11PM – 5PM

Awards Artists: 1st – $200, 2nd – $100, 3rd – $50, Honorable Mention – $25, Best in Show – $250

 

 

Poets Info: Email to Cathy Carey Deadline: March 2, 2025 11:59PM

Format: Up to 2 poems per entry name in Word or PDF Email to ccarey@frontporch.net

Notified of Acceptance: March 5, 2025

Awards Poets: 1st – $200, 2nd – $100