• Artists residing within the municipal boundaries of Strathcona County  who are 18 years of age or older.   

• Artists living in Canada with a significant connection to Strathcona County who are 18 years of age or older.  

Strathcona County is committed to equity in the arts. With the intention of building a permanent art collection that is representative of our diverse community, the Strathcona County Public Art team and the Art Collection Advisory Committee are committed to addressing bias and improving diversity within our collection efforts. We especially encourage and welcome submissions that represent the diversity of this community, including representation from artists who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and people with disabilities. We recognize there may be barriers for some when applying. If you require accommodations please contact the Public Art team.

Note: Artists whose work was selected for County purchase in 2022 may participate in "The Strathcona Salon" exhibition but their artwork will not be eligible for purchase until 2024.  

Artists who do not live in Strathcona County but have a significant connection to the area are welcome to apply to participate. These participants are asked to provide a brief description of their relationship to the area within their application. Applications from non-Strathcona County Residents must be approved by the Art Collection Advisory Committee before the artist can participate.

The Art Collection Advisory Committee will review and evaluate responses with equal consideration given to: 

• The overall impact of your contributions to Strathcona County: 

  • Have you ever worked or volunteered in Strathcona County? If so, for how many years? 

  • Have you made any artistic contributions to Strathcona County?  

  • Have you exhibited your artwork in Strathcona County? 

  • Does your artistic practice have a considerable focus on Strathcona County?  

• The significance Strathcona County holds for you personally: 

  • Have you ever lived in Strathcona County? If so, how many years?

  • Are you an active member of a community or faith-based organization in Strathcona County? 

  • Are you an Indigenous artist whose homelands overlaps with Strathcona County? 

  • Are you an Indigenous artist with ancestral, traditional, or ceremonial ties to the area? 

Artists are encouraged to contact the Public Art team prior to applying, especially if their connection to the County is not covered through the examples above.

Artists will deliver their artwork to Gallery@501 during one of the scheduled drop-off times.

Gallery@501 
501 Festival Ave #120 
Sherwood Park, AB  
T8A 4X3

Artwork Drop-off Dates: 
Thursday, April 27, 1 to 7 p.m. 
Friday, April 28, 1 to 7 p.m. 
Saturday, April 29, 12 to 4 p.m.

Artists may arrange to ship their artwork to Gallery@501, however, the artist is responsible for covering all shipping costs (including return shipping).

Artists pick up their artwork from Gallery@501 after the exhibit closes. 

Gallery@501 
501 Festival Ave #120 
Sherwood Park, AB  
T8A 4X3

Artwork pick-up dates:
Sunday June 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mon June 26, 1 to 7 p.m. 

Gallery representatives may apply on behalf of an artist. Sales inquiries may be directed to the artist’s representing gallery. For more information, contact Strathcona County Public Art.  

Contact Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture for assistance:

780-467-2211 

artacquisition@strathcona.ca 

Artists may submit two and three-dimensional artwork in any medium. Any artwork that is original, initiated by the artist, and completed within the last four years may be eligible.

• One artwork (e.g., one canvas, frame, or sculpture) 

OR 

• Two artworks (e.g., two canvases, frames, or sculptures) 

OR

• One multi-part artwork or small series (e.g., a diptych, triptych, or a collection of related prints) 

A multipart-artwork refers to dyptychs, triptychs, or other artworks comprised of separate parts. A series of works refers to artwork that is visually connected through a subject matter, pattern, medium, technique, palette, and size. Though separate, the components of a series or multi-part artwork should feel like one larger artwork when installed. The Jalopy Collection (2007) by Julie Witten Land is an example of a series. 

NEW FOR 2023: All two-dimensional artworks in a series must be the same size and have matching frames. Three-dimensional artworks may vary in size and shape. 

NEW FOR 2023: Artists must provide a diagram or instructions for installing multi-part artworks or series including their preferred arrangement and spacing between artworks.

Note: Space at Gallery@501 is limited. Though every effort will be made to exhibit all eligible submissions, Gallery@501 may not have room to accommodate all artworks in a series. In this case, the artist will be contacted before the exhibit opening. Though staff will follow artists’ instructions whenever possible, the placement of artworks is up to the discretion of Gallery@501 staff.

Artworks must weigh fifty pounds or less. Staff must be able to safely move the artwork without special equipment or the artist’s assistance. 

Two-dimensional artwork (or any artwork intended to hand on a wall):

• Combined area up to 28 square-feet (height of tallest artwork x total width of all artworks)

Three-dimensional artwork:

• Maximum footprint of 2.25 square feet per artwork (width x depth) 
• Maximum height of 8 feet 

Two-dimensional series:

• up to 28 square feet including space between artworks (artists must provide instructions and/or a diagram for installation).

Three-dimensional series:

• Maximum footprint of 2.25 square feet per artwork (width x depth)
• Maximum combined footprint of 9 square feet with at least 0.5 feet between artworks
• Maximum height of 8 feet
• Maximum height of 8 feet 

• Photograph: If possible, take a quality photograph of the artwork prior to framing. Cell phone photography is acceptable.   

• Labels: Label your artwork on the back or bottom with the title of the work, your name and phone number.  

• Framing: Two-dimensional artworks on paper or similar substrates must be framed or include alternative hanging hardware (rare-earth magnets, clips, etc.). Professional, museum-standard framing is not mandatory.  

• D-Rings: On conventional 2-dimensional artworks, such as framed artwork and canvases, D-rings are the preferred hardware. If you require assistance or further instruction for installing hanging hardware, contact Strathcona County Public Art. 

• Artwork that exceeds number, size, or weight limits, or artwork that cannot be spatially or technically accommodated by Gallery@501 is not eligible.
• Artwork that was previously submitted to “The Strathcona Salon” is not eligible. 
• Artwork created prior to 2020 is not eligible for display (no exceptions). 
• Any artwork that poses physical danger to staff or gallery visitors is not eligible.  
• Artwork that depicts profanity, pornographic images, or graphic violence will not be permitted. 
• Portraits created without consent of the individuals depicted are not permitted. 
• Artwork that purposefully imitates another work of art is not permitted. 
• Artwork that perpetuates harmful stereotypes, racism, or gendered violence is not permitted. 

In addition to submitting work to the Art Acquisition Program, artists may list their work for sale during the exhibition. Pricing information for all artworks will be kept with reception at Gallery@501. With your consent, your contact information will be shared with interested buyers. 

Artwork submitted for donation to the collection is accepted at the discretion of the Jury. Although the County appreciates such offers, it is unable to accept all donations of artwork.

The Art Acquisition Selection Committee will consist of 3 professional practicing artists. New jurors are appointed each year. The professional backgrounds of the jurors may vary from year to year.   

The jury recommends artwork for Strathcona County’s Permanent Collection based on the following Criteria:   

• Presentation  
• Aesthetic quality   
• Technical excellence and craftsmanship   
• Overall success and effect  
• Quality of materials and future conservation or maintenance requirements  

Recommendations for Strathcona County’s Permanent Art Collection will be made by the jury with the final recommendations being made by the Art Collection Advisory Committee and approved by Strathcona County Council. Artwork and artwork statements will be presented to the jurors anonymously.

The number of artworks purchased varies depending on the the selection jury's decision and the prices of artworks. With a typical budget of $10,000, the jury recommends approximately seven to ten artworks for purchase each year. 
 

If your artwork is selected for acquisition, your artwork will be inducted into Strathcona County’s Permanent Art Collection. Acquisitions will be displayed in Strathcona County’s Artrium for up to one year immediately following the Salon Series Exhibition, then distributed throughout county buildings and offices. Your artwork will also be profiled online in the County’s Permanent Art Collection online gallery.   

To finalize the purchase, you must sign an artwork purchase agreement and the artwork will remain with Strathcona County. You will be paid by cheque.  

Artwork recommended for purchase will be announced at the Artists’ Reception on June 15, 7:00 pm. Selected artists will be contacted prior to the event.

Visitors to the exhibit can vote on their favourite artwork. A “Peoples’ Choice Award” of $100.00 will be presented at the artists’ reception. Voting will be open from May 11 to June 16. Visitors may only vote once.