The Station House is putting out an open call for submissions for 2019’s group art show Uncover It.
For years, the cover art of an album has been an integral part of an album’s identity and success. From the iconic and vibrant artwork of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to the edgy and provocative artwork of Iron Maiden albums, album artwork has been an integral part of the music industry. At the Station House Gallery this year, manager Diane Toop is honouring the impact these covers have with 2019’s group show Uncover It.
“A great album cover can do much more than provide a package for a vinyl record or CD. If done well, it can encapsulate the mood or spirit of the music it represents. If done exceptionally well, it can transcend the music that inspired it in the first place, and become a cultural artifact unto itself,” Toop said.
Toop invites artists from all mediums and skill levels to take part in this year’s group show with up to three pieces an artist. The only requirement is that the piece be inspired directly by an album cover of the artist’s choice, to be displayed with the final product, and is submitted by June 15.
Ideally, Toop said she’d like to see upwards of 40 artists submit work for this group show hosted in the Main Gallery. The exhibit celebrating the Station House’s 100th anniversary will be in the Upper Gallery during this show, which will last for two months rather than one.
Read More: Station House building turns 100 this year
She points to the Beatle’s Abbey Road, Nirvana’s Nevermind and Pink Floyd’s prism from the Dark Side of the Moon as examples of album artwork that have sunk into every aspect of society. T-Shirts, coffee mugs, flags and blankets all bare these iconic symbols and are known by even those who have never heard the music they’re attached to. If they can inspire all that, Toop thought, why can’t they inspire new artwork as well?
This idea is something Toop said has been rarely explored from what she can tell and is an exciting project to her personally. Toop has brought several of her own albums to the Station House while awaiting submissions for artists to browse through for inspiration.
“I just think its really cool idea and a good way to bring in a different demographic of artists to the gallery,” Toop said.
This summer show opens on July 4 and will run until August 31 during the height of the tourist season. Toop encourages every artist to simply let their inspiration and passion guide them while making their pieces. There is no cost for artists to submit.
You can Message Toop directly for more information at manager@stationhousegallery.com or drop by the Station House during operating hours if you have questions.
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patrick.davies@wltribune.com
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