Call to Artists: Taking it to the Next Degree
Call To Artists
Taking It To The Next Degree: Rising action to meet rising heat, drought, and wildfire
Llegando a la acción en un tiempo de aumento de calor, la sequía y el fuego
A two-part exhibition opening at Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park and
subsequently traveling to the Gateway to Nature Center at El Pueblo in Downtown Los Angeles
Curated by Avenue 50 Studio and the Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability
About this opportunity:
Residents of Los Angeles suffer from public health issues which are linked to environmental
degradation, such as high rates of childhood obesity and asthma. These impacts are often
disproportionately experienced by low-income communities and people of color, amounting to
environmental injustices that are worsening as the region becomes hotter and drier. Rising
impacts from climate change are increasing the severity of heat waves, droughts, and
wildfires, breaking records years after year.
And yet in the face of increased intensity of heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, a variety of
local nature-based strategies are being used to help improve the ecological health of the
environment we rely on while improving the wellbeing of Angelenos. These strategies include
urban forestry, urban agriculture, and other practices that connect urban residents to nature
in the city. Natural features like trees and parks help reduce the urban heat-island effect,
prevent flooding and runoff, and remove pollutants from air and water. They also bring
communities together.
Avenue 50 Studio and the Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability
present this art opportunity to artists interested in exploring these topics. We invite a range
of artistic interpretations on the themes of rising heat, drought, and wildfire. We welcome
works that document or interpret the climate changes that are happening, and we encourage
works that explore solutions and a vision for the future. We wish to uplift local voices and
visions for a future built on social and environmental justice.
This group art exhibit will open at Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park and travel to the
Gateway to Nature Center at El Pueblo in Downtown Los Angeles.
Submission guidelines:
● Submit 1-5 images by June 1, 2022 on the themes of drought, wildfire, and/or heat.
● Label each image with Artist Name, Title, Media, Dimensions, Price. Size limit of 2’ x 3’.
● Submit an artwork description, no longer than one paragraph, describing your art
piece(s).
● Submit a brief artist’s bio.
● All submitted works must be for sale.
Last day to submit entries: June 1, 2022
Notification of inclusion in the show: July 1, 2022
Exhibition at Avenue 50 Studio and online: August 6 – September 16, 2022
Exhibition at Gateway to Nature Center and online: fall dates to be announced
How to submit:
Submit entries via Google Form (preferred) at tinyurl.com/Avenue50NextDegree or by email
to avenue50studio@gmail.com
Submissions will be reviewed and selected via a two-step joint committee process involving
Avenue 50 Studio and the LA Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability.
We are committed to including a diversity of artists and mediums in this show.
For more information:
Contact Kathy Gallegos 323/258-1435 Avenue50studio@gmail.com | www.avenue50studio.org
Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., 131 North Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA 90042
See this informational resource list about how heat, drought, and wildfire are impacting Los
Angeles and California communities and what actions are being taken to address these issues.