Exhibit Dates:
December 15-January 30, 2024
Awards Ceremony:
Saturday, January 6, 2-4 pm
(Snow Date: January 13)
(ARTfactory, 9419 Battle St, Manassas)
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Sunday, November 19 by 5 pm
(all categories) Click here for the submission link.
Click here for the Exhibition Guidelines/”How to Enter” Info.
Notice of Acceptance:
November 21 (via email)
What is “Off the Wall”?
The highly anticipated Off the Wall competition returns for its 20th year! Each year the area high school students are invited to share their talent by participating in a high school art exhibit and competition presented by ARTfactory. The competition encourages student expression and creativity in a professional setting. The exhibit includes student work in the following categories: Art & Technology, Painting/Drawing, Poetry, Wearable Art, and Photography!
Who is eligible to enter?
All students grades 9-12 who are currently enrolled in public, private or home schools in the City of Manassas, Manassas Park, & Prince William County are eligible to participate.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
ARTfactory has partnered with Central Library this year to offer Off the Wall participants a FREE 3D Design & Printing Workshop taking place on October 4 at 4 pm in the Central Library makerspace (8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas). Participants can create their design AND print their design at Central Library for FREE. Art and Tech. participants can also utilize the library’s free Adobe Creative Suite for submissions.
In addition to assisting with the Art and Tech. category, Central Library’s makerspace is also equipped with a recording studio and sewing and embroidery machines suitable for the Poetry and Wearable Art category!
ENTRY SPECIFICATIONS PER CATEGORY
Art & Technology:
ie: 3-d printing/digital designs –
2-d digital designs (primarily created with computer software) are included in this category. Work must be printed and framed to hang on gallery walls or ARTfactory can provide gallery pedestals for display if the work is standalone sculptural (contact jexum@VirginiaARTfactory if pedestal is required for display). Entries must be submitted in .jpg format with a recommended resolution of 300 dpi.
Photography: Photos from mobile device cameras are eligible. Minor digital manipulation or alteration of content is permitted; however, please note: If the majority of the photograph is heavily manipulated/enhanced with software, your submission may be more appropriate for the Art & Tech. category. We recommend using a resolution of 300 dpi .jpg format to ensure the photograph is not grainy.
Painting/Drawing:Create an original painting/drawing using acrylic, watercolor, tempera, oil, pastel chalk, charcoal, colored pencils, graphite, etc. (or any combination of these) on a surface of your choosing (keep in mind all works must be framed). All paintings and drawings must be original artwork. Painting/Drawing pieces will be submitted electronically as high quality photographs, in .jpg format, of the original artwork. Images should show only the artwork, not any mats or frames. Note: Mixed media works are included in this category.
Poetry
Enter a one-page poem and within the structure of the poem include the phrase:
When Poets Dream
Submission idea: Upload a video or audio clip of your poetry recitation for additional impact! Note: Central Library’s makerspace has a recording studio perfect for this!
*Please note: Students need to submit to this category via Dropbox. See “Submission Instructions” for more info. The 1st place poetry winner will be invited to recite their poem at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 6.
Wearable Art
Make something different in 3-D! You’ll get to show off during the “Off the Wall” Awards Ceremony at ARTfactory, January 6, 2024. This category is judged on site.
Contest rules for wearable “art”:
– make something original that can be worn, either you or your own selected model will wear the art for judging purposes at the “Off the Wall” Open House.
– use a layer of clothing underneath to build your art, around or attached, and be able to easily get in and out of it. Test what works: shorts and a loose top, a jumpsuit, short dress or tights and a top.
-use at least 50% recycled materials
You may not want to wear your wearable art traveling between your home and our venue, so think about this in planning your construction!
Show up at 2:15 pm at the “Off the Wall” Awards Ceremony. You can wear or bring your wearable art with you, and we will allow you a private space on our second floor to change.
*Please note: Wearable art participants can submit “in progress” pics for this category via Dropbox. See “Submission Instructions” for more info.