Call for Submissions - Postcards from the Edge 2021 (Virtual)

Postcards from the Edge is Visual AIDS’ most popular and successful annual benefit event. It is not only a highlight of the art world each year for artists and collectors, but also provides essential funding to help us carry out our mission and programming.

After much consideration and guidance from experts in healthcare and leadership, Visual AIDS has decided to transition to a virtual event this year, and will hold the sale online in January 2021.

We have never done something like this before, and we need your support. We could not hold the event without you. Your artwork submission will help us create an event that is as successful as possible for artists and collectors, as well as generating the necessary income to support the work of Visual AIDS.

HOW WILL AN ONLINE POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE WORK?
Postcards from the Edge 2021 will take place entirely online in January 2021. All postcard artworks submitted to Visual AIDS will be scanned and photographed. Images of all artworks will be uploaded to a dedicated virtual viewing space. As always with Postcards from the Edge, all artworks will remain anonymous until purchased. To assist collectors with online viewing, we will include information such as title and medium for each work along with high resolution images. (Because the artworks will need to be scanned and will only be viewable online, you may want to choose the medium and style of your artwork with that in mind. We have some tips and suggestions here.)

All postcard artworks submitted will be available for viewing online during a “preview” period prior to the public sale, similar to the VIP preview party we have held in past years. Participating artists will have access to this preview viewing period. We are endeavoring to keep many of the features of Postcards from the Edge, including a silent auction and preview event. When the sale begins, purchasers will be able to select and pay for artworks via an e-commerce site. Once an artwork is in a collector's shopping cart, no one else will be able to buy it. Purchased artworks will be mailed to buyers after the event, and a shipping fee will be included with each purchase. Much like a typical Postcards from the Edge event, purchasers will receive information about the artist who created the artwork purchased, along with the artwork. Artists will also be notified of who purchased their works.

SUBMISSION PROCESS
The submission process for artworks will be the same as in year's past. You will mail your artwork to the Visual AIDS office by a specific postmark deadline, along with a form, a self addressed stamped envelope if you would like unsold work returned, and a self addressed stamped postcard if you would like to be told that we received your submission. All submission details and forms are here.

The deadlines and event dates are not yet confirmed, but it is likely the postmark deadline will be the week of November 23rd. This early deadline is to allow us more time to scan every artwork. We will send out information as soon as dates are confirmed. We know that many artists may want to start creating their artwork as soon as possible, and please note you can mail in artwork at any time before the deadline.

Thank you in advance for helping to make our virtual Postcards from the Edge a success.

Questions? Email info@visualaids.org.
Do not call the office number or stop by our office if you have questions, as staff are still primarily working from home. Beginning October 1, we will have some postcard "kits" available outside our office door if you would like to stop by to pick one up.