There’s the U.S. Open, the British Open, the Australian Open, and now community members around Middle Georgia are invited to submit to The New Macon Open. Evoking the feelings of summer and the excitement of sports tournaments, The New Macon Open is an un-juried, unprecedented exhibition of Macon artists being held downtown at the McEachern Art Center (the MAC).
The term “open” is more than just an honorific part of the event title. In the 1970s, there was a tennis tournament held in Macon called The Macon Open. Historically for sporting tournaments, an open signifies that participants are welcome to submit regardless of professional status, age, gender or other categories that often limit participation. This kind of radical transparency is what the MAC is hoping to accomplish.
The New Macon Open will be an open call, all-inclusive show featuring artwork by Macon residents. Artworks are for sale directly by the exhibiting artists, and no commission is taken from the proceeds. This means everyone can show their art, and keep all of the money from any sales.
“The receptions and programming are to be very community-driven. Potlucks, public docents, talks, ‘hang outs,’ whatever we can do to encourage artists to spend time together here,” said Ben Dunn, director of the MAC. “It’s going to be like seeing a band. We plan on having merch, sports outside, gatherings, really getting people in and around the space.”
The exhibition is scheduled to open June 5, pending public health recommendations at that time. The health and safety of patrons is the MAC’s first priority.
While Mercer students are encouraged to participate, the MAC hopes to see locals from all around the Macon area submit and attend.
“This is an important opportunity to create accessibility and awareness for the MAC,” Dunn said. “It is, in some ways, a foil to the sometimes-challenging nature of the more contemporary art that we emphasize.”
Participating in The New Macon Open is easy. Head over to www.macmacon.com/new-page for a downloadable submission form. Complete this form, and return it to Dunn by May 10 at dunn_bwr@mercer.edu along with images of the artwork you will include in our exhibit. The McEachern team will then be in contact with all the information an artist might need. Call (478) 301-2814 or email dunn_bwr@mercer.edu with questions.
