You’re Invited

to participate in The Big Wave!

The annual all-member exhibition highlights our family of artists and provides a chance to stand out as a Merit Artist the following year. See the rules for Merit Artist competition. All members in good standing can submit ONE piece of original art to the Big Wave: Annual All Members Exhibition. Work for this exhibition may be delivered Friday, November 17 - Saturday, November 18 at the gallery at 204 S. Austin Street. If you need to make drop-off arrangements outside of this time, please call 361.729.5519.

Requirements for artwork in Big Wave: Annual All Members Exhibition:

  1. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc. are all accepted; however giclée prints of original art are not allowed.

  2. There is no theme to this exhibition.

  3. All media are accepted.

  4. Artwork cannot be larger than 50” x 50” and cannot be smaller than 10” x 10”.

  5. Artwork cannot be priced higher than $7,000 or lower than $100. Artwork does not have to be for sale, but the value cannot exceed $7,000.

Important Dates:

  • August 15, 2023 Applications to be a 2024 Merit Artist are open

  • Friday, November 17 - Saturday, November 18, 2023 Artwork for The Big Wave must arrive at the RCA Galleries at 204 S. Austin Street. No late entries allowed. Must be ready to hang with hardware.

  • November 15, 2023 Deadline to submit application to be a 2024 Merit Artist.

  • November 24, 2023 The Big Wave 2024 opens to the public.

  • December 9, 2023 Opening Reception for The Big Wave. 2024 Merit Artists Announced

  • January 7, 2024 Exhibition closes.

 

Standing Out 2024

During The Big Wave! exhibition, a guest juror will choose three artists to be part of a special group exhibition in December 2024-January 2025. Artists MUST HAVE artwork in The Big Wave! exhibition to be considered for the Merit Artist Award.

The esteemed 2023 juror is Executive Director of K-Space Contemporary in Corpus Christi, TX, Michelle Smythe. The deadline for to apply to be a Merit Artist is November 15, 2023.

We are also asking artists who wish to be considered for 2023 Merit Artists to submit an artist statement and (optional) 1-3 images of other work they make. This will help the juror in making their decision.

Each of the three selected Merit Artists will be awarded a studio visit by a member of the Rockport Center for the Arts Exhibition Committee. They will help guide the Merit Artist in the creation of their body of work.