Create miniature artwork
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) invites people to create miniature artworks which will be embedded in the walls of the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST), due to reopen later this year.
My RSC Gallery will be the first exhibition created especially for the RSC's new theatre and will feature 50 small boxes built into its walls. Each box will contain a unique piece of art inspired by Shakespeare, theatre or the RSC, and the RSC is running a public competition to select the art which goes inside. People are invited to submit a picture of their artwork and supporting information to a new website http://www.myrscgallery.com/. The entries, along with the stories, experiences or memories behind them, will be displayed online and voted on by the public. A panel of judges will select the winners later this year, whose artwork will be put into the boxes ready for the theatre reopening. My RSC Gallery was created for the RSC by renowned international artist Luke Jerram, who has developed a range of public art projects, including 'Play Me, I'm Yours,' which sees street pianos distributed in cities across the globe, including New York City and London, with the project currently being endorsed by Alicia Keys and the mayors of each city.
Commenting on My RSC Gallery, Luke Jerram said: "This is a great opportunity for people to literally put their stories into the walls of this extraordinary building, to be discovered by other visitors for many years to come and is a perfect way of reminding people this is a theatre for everyone.
"Artwork could be a representation of a favourite line from a play, a treasure map perhaps leading you somewhere else in Stratford, photos and mementos from a special trip to the theatre or a drawing, painting or collage depicting a character or scene. We are really looking forward to seeing a range of materials, styles and techniques.
"Inspired by the long history of the RSC, I hope that a grandmother might one day show her grandchildren the hidden drawing she created years before for the theatre.
"The stories, thoughts or memories are as important as the artwork itself and will be taken into account in the judging process."
Those participating will be asked to create a 'piece of art' which fits within specific dimensions: width 16.5cm x height 16.5cm x depth 5cm, before submitting a photograph of what they have made, along with 100 words describing the idea behind it.
Jo Whitford, RSC Events and Exhibitions Manager, said: "My RSC Gallery reflects the RSC's desire for our new home in Stratford-upon-Avon to be a space for everyone to enjoy. This is a chance for people to get creatively involved in the RST's transformation, putting their own stamp on this famous building, and we'd like as many as possible to take part.
"This competition isn't just for artists. We are looking forward to seeing a whole range of artwork and abilities and we're just as interested in finding out the stories and memories behind each piece, so all that is needed to enter is an idea relating to Shakespeare, theatre or the RSC, and a little bit of creative flare. There's more information on the My RSC Gallery website, to help people think of the type of thing they may like to create, plus the chance to watch a video of the artist, Luke Jerram, talking about how he came up with the idea and what we're looking for."
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 years and over, although a separate competition is being run for schools and colleges – more details for schools and colleges can be found on the RSC's website www.rsc.org.uk/myrscgallery.
Anyone who does not have access to the internet can contact the RSC's Events and Exhibitions Department for more information on 01789 412639.
The public competition closes for submissions on 31 August, with the winners being announced in the autumn, ready for the final artwork to be installed in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which will open at the end of November 2010.