Submission Deadline Extended for Inaugural Call for Art for Cornerstone Digital Media Wall
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2020) — A new innovation space on campus, The Cornerstone, has recently opened its doors, creating endless possibilities for students, faculty, and community members alike.
One of the most distinctive features of the new building is the 55-foot-tall, first of its kind in Lexington, exterior digital media wall standing tall for all to see. Wrapping the corner of South Limestone and Winslow Street, the media wall is strategically situated on one of the university’s most downtown and community facing corners.
In keeping with The Cornerstone’s spirit of ingenuity and creativity, the University of Kentucky, in partnership with the Coca-Cola Co., has launched an inaugural call for digital artwork, in which students, faculty, staff and the community at large will have the opportunity to submit their artwork to be projected on The Cornerstone's digital media wall.
Seizing the opportunity to reflect and celebrate our community — who we are today and who we want to become — the inaugural call is focused on the two themes below:
Black Lives in the Bluegrass:
In 2020, we saw renewed public outcry against systemic racism and calls for social change. In cities and towns across the state, protesters have taken to the streets to assert that Black Lives Matter. This call seeks images that acknowledge the deep legacy of racism in our country; recognize the pain it inflicts upon our communities of color; protest systemic injustice and represent a desire for change; underscore Black liberation and joy; and celebrate the ongoing vital contributions of our Black and Brown citizens to life in the Commonwealth. They may include but are not limited to photographs of protests, scans of posters, images of murals, portraits of Black leaders and works that point to a more just future.
Kentucky Confronting COVID-19:
During the global pandemic, Kentucky has rallied together to fight the disease, keep essential services available, and help our community stay strong. This open call seeks digital art that celebrates the contributions of frontline workers, mourns the loss of loved ones and addresses the complex array of feelings attendant to physical distancing, economic hardship and systemic inequities that the pandemic intensified. This series aims to show moments of struggle, strength and resilience in the face of the challenges that the pandemic has presented to our community. Works displayed in this series may include portraits of essential workers, scenes of daily life under quarantine and illustrations that capture moments of togetherness despite the necessity of social distance, among other possibilities.
Submissions
The university invites creative submissions from Kentucky image-makers that define who we are and how we come together. Artists may be amateur or professional, affiliated or non-affiliated with UK and living anywhere in the state in order to maximize community participation. Works submitted may include digital photographs, illustrations, scans and other still digital content.
An individual artist may submit one still image to each of the two open call series. Along with their image(s), they will be asked to submit their name, work title, work description and contact information.
Selection, Recognition and Awards
A jury of UK faculty, staff and community members will select finalists in each of the two open calls series. All finalists will be displayed in a slide show that runs throughout the spring semester.
Generously funded by a grant from Coca-Cola, 10 cash awards of $1,000 each will be awarded for artistic excellence (five in each open call series) in the following categories:
- UK Student Award
- UK Faculty & Staff Award
- Kentucky Community Award (eligibility limited to non-UK students, faculty and staff)
- Equity & Inclusion Award (eligibility limited to persons of color)
- People’s Choice Award (online voting mechanism to select winner)
The deadline to submit is Feb 19, 2021.
For additional information on the call for entries and the submission form, click here.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.