The Pajaro Valley Arts Council (PVAC) was founded as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 1984 to promote and foster cultural events in the Pajaro Valley and Santa Cruz County.

PHOTO ALCHEMY: Alternative Processes in Photographic Media, wants to introduce the public to the revival in alternative processes in photographic media explored by contemporary artists. We accept framed work as well as work that sits on a pedestal, shelf or floor.

Submitting your work:

1. This exhibit is open to artists (U.S. Residents, age 18 and older) working with alternative processes in photographic techniques and materials such as: albumen, photo gravure, photograms, tintypes, daguerreotypes, carbon dichromates, gum bichromates, emulsion on metals, cyanotypes, wet-plate collodion, Polaroid transfers, liquid light, VanDyke, platinum and palladium. No digital, c-prints or gelatin silver prints will be accepted unless combined with an alternative process. For further questions regarding eligible processes send e-mail to curator at hedwig@pajarovalleyartscouncil.org
2. A maximum of 3 pieces may be entered for consideration (4 if you are a member of PVAC or become a member of PVAC.)   On-line submittal will be available on 3/1/12 through 3/16/2012 at http://pajarovalleyartscouncil.org/alchemy/entryform
3. Submitted images must be in JPEG/JPG format, saved at 300 dpi, with the width (longer) dimension of the image sized to 5 inches (1500 pixels). Set the compression so that the files are no larger than 800K in size.
4. Upon acceptance into the exhibit, you will be provided loan forms, shipping information and a request for participation fee, which will be due upon receipt of artwork.
5. Pieces may be hand delivered directly to the Gallery. If shipped, artist is responsible for shipping and insurance costs, both to and from the Gallery. All shipped works must be packed to meet current professional shipping standards for artwork. All packing materials must be reusable for return shipment.  The Gallery will not be responsible for damages to artwork incurred during shipping if packing materials do not meet professional standards.
6. All work must have been completed on or after January 1, 2008. 
7. There will be $30 participation fee to defray the costs of the exhibit due upon receipt of artwork.
8. PVAC will retain 30% commission for pieces sold for PVAC members, or 45% commission for non-members.  Go to http://pajarovalleyartscouncil.org/join for membership information.
9. All entries must be received by 5pm on Friday, March 16^th, 2012. Artists accepted for the exhibition will be notified via e-mail on Monday, March 26^th 2012.
10. Individual pieces will be insured to a maximum $2,500.00 while in the Gallery.

About the Jurors:
Brian Taylor was born in Tucson, Arizona. He received his BA Degree in Visual Arts from the University of California-San Diego, an MA from Stanford University, and his MFA from the University of New Mexico. Taylor is known for his innovative explorations of alternative photographic processes including historic non-silver printing techniques, mixed media, and hand made books. Brian has taught photography workshops for over 20 years at institutions including the Friends of Photography, the University of California at Santa Cruz and Berkeley, Stanford University, Photo Alliance, and the Oklahoma Arts Institute. Brian is currently a Professor of Photography and Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at California State University, San Jose: http://www.briantaylorphotography.com

Janet Fine lives and works in Santa Cruz County, California and divides her time as an exhibiting mixed-media artist and a photography lab/teaching technician at Cabrillo College, Aptos.  She is a curator and has run the Cabrillo College photo facilities in the Art division for many years. She has been one of the CabrilloArts organizers/cheerleaders since its inception and taught workshops in alternative processes. Her most recent work explores interactivity, An Unexpected Aesthetic: The Search for New Directions, currently exhibited at the Center for Photographic Arts, Carmel running March 10-May 5, 2012: http://www.photography.org

Ted Orland lives in Santa Cruz, California, where he pursues parallel careers in teaching, writing and photography. Ted is co-author (with David Bayles) of the classic artists' survival guide, Art & Fear, and is author of its recent companion piece, The View From the Studio Door. Ted's photography is represented by The Ansel Adams Gallery, and examples may be seen on his own website at: www.tedorland.com