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On the Fence: Public Art in Public Space
Call for Exhibition Proposals

Smith College will host a new art exhibition space beginning in September 2001 on the construction fence surrounding the Smith College Museum of Art and Fine Arts Center renovation project on Elm Street in Northampton. Exhibitors may be individuals or groups of any age, including Smith students, staff or faculty, local artists, school groups, and community organizations from the Greater Northampton area.

Works may be in any medium that will withstand the weather and can be installed on a chain link fence. Because the site is outdoors and unsupervised, the college cannot be responsible for damage or loss due to weather, accident, or vandalism. Some ideas for weather-proof media include ribbons, natural materials, ice, laminated drawings, magnets, acrylic on plywood panels, etc. Imagination will be a key ingredient of any installation.

Exhibitions may range in length from a day to two weeks and will be mounted between September 2001 and August 2002.

Exhibitors will be responsible for the cost of materials and for installing their work and removing it at the end of the exhibition period.

The college will publicize the exhibitions in local media and calendars.

Application Guidelines
Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning September 2001. Please send a letter stating:

  • Name of organizer/group, address, phone, e-mail address
  • Preferred time of year and length of exhibition (one day to two weeks)
  • Section(s) of the fence you would like to use (see diagram below)
  • Description of exhibition (theme, media, number of works, etc.)
  • Optional: include reproductions if possible (slides, photocopies, or rough sketches)

We will return proposal materials if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Send proposals to: The Fence Committee, c/o Nancy Rich, Smith College Museum of Art, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063.

For further information, please contact Nancy Rich at (413) 585-2773, nrich@smith.edu, or Margi Caplan at (413) 585-3587, mcaplan@smith.edu.

Exhibition Guidelines

  1. This is a public location, especially the Elm Street side. We ask you to take this into consideration. Due to city ordinance, we cannot accept ads or political statements.
  2. Exhibitors are responsible for installing, maintaining and removing their works. Please consider how weather will affect your art work. The exhibitor is responsible for repairing or removing work that becomes unsightly due to weather or vandalism.
  3. The college cannot be responsible for damage or loss due to weather, accident, or vandalism.
  4. Applicants whose proposals are accepted will be required to review their plans with committee members.