Postcards from the Edge 2022 (Virtual) - Call for Submissions

Looking for the sale? Head over to postcards.visualaids.org! The sale will launch on Saturday, January 8 at 10am EST.

Postcards from the Edge 2022 (VIRTUAL) - Call for Submissions

Postmark Deadline for Artwork: November 22nd, 2021

Visual AIDS invites you to participate in our 24^th Annual Postcards from the Edge benefit, a unique benefit show and sale of original, postcard-size artworks by established and emerging artists. All artwork is exhibited anonymously, and the identity of the artist is revealed only after the work is purchased. 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.

Due to the uncertainties of Delta Variant and in consideration of the health of our community, we will hold Postcards from the Edge as a VIRTUAL event once again from January 8-14, 2022. We anticipate that we will return to an in-person event in January 2023.

Last year for our first virtual event, we received 1,069 artworks submitted from 25 countries. From here in the U.S., we received submissions from 38 states and the District of Columbia. Our online sale last year made it possible for art collectors throughout the US to purchase artworks for the first time, and it was a resounding success. We sold over 700 artworks in the first two hours of the sale, and sold out over the course of the weekend! This year, we are thrilled to be opening the sale to NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ART COLLECTORS, the largest pool of art collectors EVER for Postcards from the Edge.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO COVID-19:

**Please do not call the Visual AIDS office number or leave voice messages regarding PFTE, as our staff are still only in the office part time and will not return your call. Email info@visualaids.org with any questions you have about the event or the guidelines for submission, and you will receive a reply.**

We now require anyone visiting the Visual AIDS office to show proof of vaccination before entering, so please keep that in mind if you plan to stop by in person to pick up a packet or to drop off your artwork.

We will have packets and a secure mailbox outside of our office door starting October 4, so it will be possible to pick up and drop off without entering.

For more information, please click the tab above titled "HOW WILL AN ONLINE EVENT WORK?"

GUIDELINES:

1. Create or attach an original artwork on a postcard or any 4x6” heavy weight paper. Drawings, photographs, paintings, printmaking, and mixed media are welcome. ONE ENTRY per artist.

**This year, all 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 this in mind. Please note that fluorescent colors should not be used because fluorescence cannot be represented digitally and the colors will look entirely different. Additions like sequins and glitter, which look great in person, may not represent accurately in a digital scan. 3D works, artworks with surfaces that are very textural, have items attached to the surface, have ragged or unusual edges, are oversized (larger than 4 x 6"), or are not rectangular may not reproduce well in a scanned image and may have their edges or shapes cropped within the format of the web pages designed for the event.

2. Sign and Print Name on BACK ONLY. Also, indicate the top with an arrow.

3. Complete Submission Forms for Collector and Visual AIDS. (Forms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page)

4. Carefully package artwork. Recommended: wrap artwork in wax paper and place between cardboard. Do not submit charcoal or pastel pieces without fixing them. Do not wrap wet or sticky artwork.

5. If you need confirmation that we received your artwork, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard.

6. If you would like your unsold work returned, please include a 6x9” self-addressed, stamped envelope with proper postage. Unsold artwork will NOT be returned unless an SASE is enclosed. Visual AIDS is not responsible for artwork lost or damaged in the mail.

7. Mail your artwork and forms by POSTMARK DEADLINE Monday, November 22, 2021

Mailing address: Visual AIDS, 526 West 26^th Street, #510, New York, NY 10001

PFTE is one of our most important fundraisers of the year, and its success will allow us to produce important art activism projects in 2021. By participating, artists support our mission, enabling us to produce AIDS-focused contemporary art programs and provide supplies and assistance to artists living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom are unable to continue producing work without such support.

THANK YOU - The support of artists makes this event a success each year. We couldn't do it without you!

HOW WILL AN ONLINE POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE WORK?
Postcards from the Edge 2022 will take place entirely online from January 8-14, 2022. 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. Even if an artwork is in a collector's shopping cart, other collectors will be able to purchase the work until the work is sold at check out. 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.