Gallery 37 Apprentice Artist Program Submission Guidelines
Eligibility Requirements
- Artists must be high school juniors and seniors residing in the West Valley Arts Council service area.
- Participants must be 15-18 years of age as of June 1, 2025.
- Applicants should be experienced art students.
The West Valley Arts Council serves the following communities: Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Phoenix (West of I-17), Sun City, Sun City Grand, Sun City West, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg, and Youngtown, Arizona.
Application Submission Requirements
Application Deadline: Friday, April 18, 2025, by 5:00 PM
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Required Materials:
Letters of Recommendation
- Submit 1-2 letters from a teacher or employer who knows you artistically, academically, or professionally.
- The letter should discuss your work ethic, artistic skill, reliability, character, and interest in art.
Portfolio Submission
- Submit 3-5 original pieces of artwork (hard copies accepted) to be reviewed during your interview.
Commitment & Availability
- Confirm that you can commit to the program’s schedule
- More than 3 absences are not allowed.
- If you anticipate scheduling conflicts, provide an explanation.
Mandatory Interview
- Interviews will take place on April 23, 2025.
- Attendance is mandatory for acceptance into the program.
Mandatory Orientation
- Orientation will be held in early May. Participation is required.
Student Expectations
Attendance & Commitment
- Attendance is crucial to the success of your team and project.
- Only 3 absences are allowed. If you anticipate missing a class, email your instructor ahead of time.
- Participants must commit to attending classes Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 3:00pm at Estrella Mountain Community College during the program, which typically runs from the end of May through the last week of June.
Punctuality & Meeting Deadlines
- This is a fast-paced program, requiring all participants to be prepared and on time.
- Treat your role professionally and meet all deadlines as expected.
Time Management & Professionalism
- This program simulates a college-level class experience.
- You are expected to complete all assignments on time and manage your workload effectively.
Teamwork, Compromise & Communication
- Gallery 37 is centered on collaboration.
- All work should focus on the common goal of the project.
- Be open to sharing strengths, feedback, and equally contributing.
Respect & Positivity
- Treat peers and instructors with respect.
- Be open to different ideas, beliefs, skills, and talents.
- Turn challenges into opportunities through teamwork and problem-solving.
Learning & Growth
- Everyone is here to learn and grow.
- Be patient, communicative, and engaged throughout the process.
- Most importantly, have fun!
Submission Deadline: Saturday, May 31
OVERVIEW
Calling all ceramic artists, glass artists, welders, encaustic artists, wood-burning artists and more who transform materials under heat into fine works of art! The Arts HQ Gallery is seeking hot artwork from Arizona artists for their upcoming Art Under Fire exhibit. The exhibit will feature original 2D and 3D artwork made through the processes of baking in a kiln, melting, welding, or torching. Appropriately timed for the middle of Arizona summer, this exhibit will run June 27 - July 31, 2025.
The Arts HQ Gallery is located at 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza, Ste 102, Surprise, AZ, next to the Surprise City Hall. We are run by the nonprofit West Valley Arts Council, established in 1969 as a resource for arts and culture in the West Valley. We have been at this location for the past 10 in what was originally the Heard Museum West. Depending on the season, we attract 400-600 visitors to each exhibit. www.westvalleyarts.org. Check out our past exhibits and events on social media www.facebook.com/westvalleyarts and www.instagram.com/westvalley_arts . Follow us.
Submission deadline: Saturday, May 31 by 12midnight
ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to professional and emerging artists 18 and older living in Arizona.
CRITERIA:
- Artwork must be made through a heat process of baking in a kiln, melting, welding, or torching. Due to safety, no, the artwork cannot be lit with fire on display.
- Each entry must be the artist’s original work.
- The theme is open, but should be appropriate for families and children to view.
- All 2D artwork must be properly framed and/or wired, not to exceed 20 lbs. Saw tooth is acceptable. 3D artwork will be placed on pedestals, hung, or can be free-standing.
- Artwork must stay in place throughout the exhibit.
- Selected work must include a label or identification on the back of the work, including the name of the artist and title, and contact information.
*WVA board and staff reserves the right to refuse any work based on its inability to meet the criteria, inability to be displayed safely and without difficulty, or inappropriateness in themes or content.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Up to 4 entries per submission.
- Entries must include an image of each piece (images must be at least 300 dpi and .jpg or .png format.), along with the title, size, medium, and price for each. Pricing should include our 25% commission.
- Biography of the artist
- Description / story behind the work, and the process of heat used.
- Website and Instagram handles if applicable.
- All entries must be completed and received by midnight on the deadline date, and go through this website link.
- $15 nonrefundable entry fee for up to 4 art pieces (one entry per artist) to cover labor and expenses does not guarantee acceptance in the exhibit.
SELECTION
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of knowledgeable West Valley Arts Council staff members and key partners.
EXHIBIT INFORMATION
The Art Under Fire exhibit will open Friday, June 27, 2025 with an opening reception from 5-7pm. The reception is free and open to the public at the Arts HQ Gallery in Surprise, AZ, 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza, ste 102. Artists are encouraged to attend and invite family and friends. Share your art and story with fellow artists, visitors, and patrons.
The exhibit will run through July 31, 2025. Artists are responsible for delivery and pick up of their artwork to the Arts HQ Gallery. Pick up will be following the exhibit on Friday, Aug 1 or Saturday, Aug 2, 10am-1pm.
Promotion for the exhibit will be featured on the West Valley Arts Council website, newsletters, and social media via Facebook and Instagram. Artists are also encouraged to promote the exhibit in tandem on their own social media platforms and any local media contacts.
SCHEDULE / TIMELINE
Submission Deadline…………………..….Saturday, May 31, 2025
Notice of acceptance………………………..Monday, Jun 2, 2025
Accepted works delivered to gallery……….Friday, June 20 or Saturday, June 21, 10am-1pm
Exhibition Opening Reception……………...Friday, June 27, 5-7pm
Artwork Pickup…………Friday, Aug 1 or Saturday, Aug 2, 10am-1pm
Featured artists are also invited to have an extension of their artwork in prints, stickers, or small works in our adjacent gift shop throughout the exhibit.
QUESTIONS - Email gallery@westvalleyarts.org
West Valley Arts Council – Mural Artist Art Call
Fry’s Food Stores/Kroger Company Artwork
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS—MURAL ARTIST
West Valley Arts Council, in partnership with Fry’s Food Stores, a division of the Kroger Company, seeks to commission a professional artist or artist team to create an indoor mural for a new Fry’s Food Store located at 16371 Cactus Road Surprise, AZ 85388.
The mural will be prominently displayed on a wall inside the store as part of the Kroger Company’s commitment to involving artists in beautifying new stores in Arizona and throughout the nation. The artwork will be expected to celebrate the spirit of the surrounding community and the unique identity of Buckeye. The mural will be approximately 21 feet wide and 7 feet high and must be painted on durable panels that can be attached to the wall.
ELIGIBILITY - This opportunity is open to professional artists or artists teams, living in the Phoenix Metro area, who have the ability to create exemplary large-scale mural work. Must be 18 or older to submit.
TO APPLY - Interested artists must submit the following documents and supporting materials VIA SUBMITTABLE (NO E-MAILED, MAILED OR HARDCOPY SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED).
- A current resume and bio, in PDF or MS Word format.
- Six (6) images documenting previously completed works that demonstrate the ability to design, create, and install large-scale art. Each image must be no larger than 10 MB.
- An annotated information sheet with the title, date, and brief description of each image.
SEMI-FINALIST HONORARIA - Up to three artists from the applicant pool will be selected to prepare a design/drawing of the proposed artwork. Each will be paid $400 for their proposals.
PROJECT BUDGET - One artist will be awarded a commission of $10,000. This amount includes all artist fees, including mural design, fabrication, materials installation, insurance transportation and project coordination, and costs to deliver completed artwork to the new Fry’s Food Store located at 16371 Cactus Road Surprise, AZ 85388 by Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The general on-site contractor of the new Fry’s Foods Store, with the guidance of the artist, will perform the artwork installation.
SCHEDULE / TIMELINE -
RFQ Document Submission Deadline……………...…Thursday, April 17, 2025
Semi-Finalists Notified………………………………………..Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Semi-Finalists Proposed Design/Drawing Due……..Monday, June 2, 2025
Finalist Chosen ……………………………………………….Friday, June 6, 2025
PROJECT AND DELIVERY DEADLINE…….… Wednesday, October 8, 2025
*subject to change*
QUESTIONS - Email jimmy@westvalleyarts.org, or call 623.205.2619
The West Valley Arts Council is committed to enriching the community through transformative public art projects. Join us in this creative endeavor!