Open Call for Student Artwork

Helen Frankenthaler, Sudden Snow, 1987.
Collaborating printers Roger Campbell, Lee Funderburg, Michael Herstand, and Kenneth Tyler. Color lithograph, AP 4/12. Published by Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Bedford and Mt. Kisco, established 1974. Gift of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation.

The University of New Mexico Art Museum is looking for three students to create works on paper (drawings, prints, photographs) in response to an upcoming exhibition featuring prints by Helen Frankenthaler and supported by the Frankenthaler Print Initiative.  

The exhibition explores Postwar and Contemporary abstract prints and drawings with a focus on Helen Frankenthaler and Elaine de Kooning. Other artists who experimented in the print medium by collaborating with important American presses are also featured, including Richard Diebenkorn and Robert Motherwell.  

UNMAM will cover the cost of framing and will award each artist a $500 scholarship to their UNM bursar’s account. 
NOTE: Scholarship awards will be disbursed to the selected students’ bursars account. If there is an unpaid balance in the account, the award would be applied to the outstanding balance first.

The exhibition opens January 31, 2025. 


How to Apply

Please submit the following materials through our online submission form, located at the bottom of this page.

  • A portfolio with images of 3-5 examples of your work. (Please limit individual file sizes to no more than 15MB.)
  • 1-2 paragraphs on what aspects of Frankenthaler’s work interests you and how you might make a piece that responds to it.
  • Artist statement (optional)

UNMAM curators Angel Jiang and Mary Statzer will host two study room visits for interested students to view work in the exhibition on Wednesday, September 18th from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, and Friday, September 27th from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. 

Eligibility

  • All current UNM students are welcome to apply. 
  • Both existing and new work is eligible; please note that your written description must connect your own work to artwork in the exhibition.
  • Artwork must be available for the entire duration of the exhibition (see dates below.) 

Selection Process

  • Applicants will be evaluated based on relevance to the exhibition, resonance with Frankenthaler’s work, artistic merit, originality, and feasibility. 
  • Special consideration will be given to applicants that demonstrate innovative approaches to works on paper.  
  • Applications will be evaluated by a panel of UNMAM staff and affiliates. 

Important Dates

Study Room visits: Wednesday, September 18, 10am-11am and Friday, September 27, 1pm-2pm

Proposal due: Monday, October 7, 2024

Notification of awardees: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 

Artwork delivery: Monday, November 25, 2024 

Exhibition opening: Friday, January 31, 2025 

Artwork return: July 2025 

If you have questions about the open call and/or the application process please email Angel Jiang (ajiang1@unm.edu) and Mary Statzer (mstatzer@unm.edu).

Helen Frankenthaler, "Day One," 1987

Image 5 of 5

Collaborating printer Bob Cross and Rodney Konopaki. Color aquatint, sugar lift etching, etching and drypoint, edition 29/58 © 2024 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / Tyler Graphics Ltd., Mount Kisco, New York Photograph by Thomas Barratt, courtesy Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, New York Gift of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation.

SUBMISSION FORM