LITCHFIELD COUNTY— The NWCT Arts Council announces an open call for artists of all kinds to submit works created during quarantine to produce an online gallery titled “Resiliency.” Submissions are limited to one piece per artist, and will be open from April 24 - May 12. Submissions must be sent to info@artsnwct.org with the subject line “VIRTUAL GALLERY SUBMISSION.” The theme of the work submitted should reflect the artists’ interpretations of “resiliency.”

The media of work submitted can include but is not limited to: video, photography/photo documentation of sculpture/installation, digital art, 2D, music of all kinds, or documented performance/dance. Works submitted will be displayed virtually at the following link: https://sburr23.wixsite.com/covid19-arts/community-gallery.

The Arts Council is fiscally sponsoring Torrington Collective’s Artist Emergency Relief Fund (via GoFundMe) which is raising money to pay local artists a microgrant up to $100 for commissioned work. The virtual community gallery will include these commissioned works, as well. Torrington Collective is still accepting donations to support artists at the GoFundMe link here: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/nwct-artist-emergency-relief-fund?fbclid=IwAR2w04vj2-GYe7juWyJfwvBA3VNCnpEyXPx5iKAlBqsA3KSzaNz18qfPGEI.

To drive support and excitement for the project, the Arts Council will host an online launch party fundraiser on Friday, May 22, via Facebook Live, and debut the virtual gallery. The Arts Council asks donors to contribute during the Facebook livestream in support of their mission, advocacy efforts, and operations. All are invited to join the Livestream for free, preview the content for the virtual gallery, and start watch parties with friends online.

The mission of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council is to engage the public in building a strong and connected arts and culture community that is integral to the economic development and the collective wellbeing of the 25-town region it serves. The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council is supported in part by the DECD/Connecticut Office of the Arts, the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, and the Connecticut Community Foundation.