Guest Curator: Sergio Gomez, MFA
Location: Cotilla Gallery, Alvin Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University
Exhibition Dates: May 10 to June 15, 2025
Application Deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 10
The Annual Art Exhibit & Fundraiser hosted by the Circle of Friends of the Alvin Sherman Library is a celebration of artistic talent and community engagement, curated by nationally renowned curator Sergio Gomez. This exciting event will showcase a diverse collection of contemporary artwork, offering a platform for emerging and established artists to present their work to a broad audience. A 30% proceeds from art sales will benefit the Circle of Friends, supporting the library’s mission to provide educational programs, resources, and cultural events for the community.
"Mirrored Realities" invites you to explore the idea of reflection in both its literal and metaphorical forms. This exhibition encourages you to think of reflection not just as a replication of the physical world, but as an interpretive process—one where art becomes a mirror to our experiences, emotions, and inner landscapes. Just as a mirror captures an image, your work has the power to capture a perspective, revealing nuances of both the world outside and the realm within.
We view art as a dialogue between the creator and the viewer, a reflective process that brings to light hidden truths and offers new ways to see the world. In this context, artists act as mirrors, reflecting back the beauty of nature, the intricacies of identity, and the spectrum of human experience. Whether your approach is abstract, representational, or conceptual, your work should convey your unique perception of what it means to reflect.
We invite you to submit up to three works that express your personal interpretation of reflection—whether they portray the external environment or delve into the inner workings of emotion and thought. Embrace any medium or style, from the colorful to the subtle, and let your art serve as a bridge between the seen and the unseen. Open to paintings, drawings, printmaking, mixed media, digital, photography, and sculpture works.
Throughout the exhibition’s run, we’ll offer an array of engaging and interactive events designed to deepen the connection between artists, the public, and the library community. These include:
This annual exhibit promises to be an exciting and innovative event, uniting art, culture, and philanthropy in a unique way. By supporting the Circle of Friends, artists will not only have the chance to sell their work but will also contribute to the continued growth and success of the Alvin Sherman Library, helping to provide vital programs and resources to the community.
We invite artists 18 years of age and over working in all mediums to submit their artwork for consideration in this prestigious annual exhibit. Whether you are an emerging artist or a seasoned professional, this is an excellent opportunity to showcase your work, gain exposure, and support the Circle of Friends of the Alvin Sherman Library. The selected artists will have the chance to sell their works, with 30% of the sale price supporting the library’s programs and services. Artists will receive 70% of the sale of their work. Artists MUST be able to deliver work in person.
The exhibit will be installed from May 5th to May 7th, with the public viewing taking place from May 10th to June 15th, and will be deinstalled from June 16th to June 17th
One-time payment of $30 for up to 3 artworks.
1. Does the artwork need to be framed?
Paintings do not need to be framed. Works on paper must be framed.
2. Is there a size limit?
Yes! Artwork may not exceed 60" in any direction.
3. Is digital art eligible?
Yes, but must be printed on archival material.
5. Can I submit more than one piece?
Yes, you may submit up to three different works for consideration, all covered under a single $30 submission fee.
IMPORTANT Submission Requirements:
◦ High-resolution and clear images of the artwork.
◦ Title, medium, dimensions, price, and year of creation for each piece.
◦ Art statement.
◦ Link to website and/or Instagram.
Delivery:
All artwork must be hand-delivered to the gallery no later than May 5, 2025. Delivery instructions will be emailed to accepted artists. No shipping.
Sales Commission Split:
70% Artist / 30% Gallery
Selection Process:
Selected artists will be notified no later than Friday, April 4, 2025.
Sergio Gomez, MFA is a highly regarded visual artist recognized for his powerful large-scale figurative abstraction paintings and charcoal drawings that explore profound life cycles. With an extensive artistic career, his work has been showcased in over 45 solo exhibitions across the United States and in various international museums, including those in Romania, Italy, Mexico, and Vienna. In addition to his remarkable studio work, Sergio Gomez is a prolific curator, having curated over 100 exhibitions since 2010. His curatorial journey includes serving as the Director of Exhibitions at the Zhou B. Art Center, founding the 33 Contemporary Gallery, and co-founding the acclaimed coaching academy, Art NXT Level®. Notably, he played a pivotal role in directing the National Wet Paint MFA exhibition, an influential project that spotlighted top MFA painting students on a national stage. Sergio's significant curatorial achievement with 33 Contemporary Gallery includes the decade-long stewardship of the National Self Portrait Annual Exhibition in Chicago from 2004 to 2014. This exhibition, transformed by Gomez's talent, became one of the largest and most anticipated self-portrait showcases in the nation, attracting over 500 artists over the ten-year span. His curatorial prowess has been sought after by esteemed institutions and events, ranging from the Chicago Park District to the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Follow Sergio Gomez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergiogomezart
Cotilla Gallery Website: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cotilla_gallery/
