Art Museum of South Texas to Showcase Local Creative Energy in Digital Exhibition

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Art Museum of South Texas, an affiliate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is providing Coastal Bend artists the opportunity to share digital images that reflect the creativity they continue to tap and foster during the period of collective isolation in response to local and state orders issued during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The museum is currently accepting submissions for its exhibition, “Creative Distancing,” which will feature community submissions projected on to the walls of Chapman Gallery. The exhibition is set to launch Tuesday, June 2, the first day the Museum plans to reopen to the general public following more than two months of inactivity. AMST Marketing Coordinator Kirby Tello said the exhibition has received more than 200 submissions to date and will run for much of the summer.

“Art intrinsically is a healing medium. By creating art, people can express deep emotions, connect more meaningfully with themselves and have the opportunity to share some of the most intimate parts of themselves with the world through art,” Tello said, adding, “Art is cathartic.”

Submissions will be in the running for cash prizes. Selected jurors, who will be announced in August, will award a $500 first prize submission, a $250 second prize submission, and a $100 third prize submission at the conclusion of the exhibition, which has yet to be announced. Tello said the public will have an opportunity to cast votes through social media and the museum website for a public’s choice submission prize worth $250 from a group of works selected by the jurors.

Tello said while the show is aimed at showcasing local creativity, the call for entries has received submissions from artists in nearly a dozen states, including New York, California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Alabama. Additionally, there is a rolling deadline, so creatives can continue to submit artwork after the exhibition has opened, and there no limit to the number of entries artists can submit to the show.

“The exhibition is important for local creators because it is a way for AMST and the community to come together once again and share in this experience of the pandemic,” Tello said. “While there is so much uncertainty right now, the one grounding constant is the need to express oneself and create. We feel called to highlight the works from our local community to honor each individual’s unique experience during this time.”

To submit a digital photo of a creation, see the submission process details on the Museum’s website.

More information about plans to re-open the Art Museum of South Texas

The Museum is planning to provide a safe environment for its visitors by implementing the following measures:

• Implementing/encouraging social distancing (six feet of space between visitors)
• Hand sanitizing stations for visitors
• Acrylic barriers will be placed around gift shop attendants and the security desk 
• As stated in Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order on May 6, wearing a mask is not mandatory but highly encouraged