Fabric Horse

Call for Artists!

The 7th annual Bike Part Art Show benefiting Neighborhood Bike Works is coming August 28-September 18 at Studio 34 in West Philadelphia, with the silent auction and party on September 18. Hooray! We have a great lineup this year: Music by Kiss Kiss Kill and DJ Ross of Love, beer by Victory and Dock Street, snacks by great local caterers and bakeries, and a super audience of biking and art enthusiasts.

The only thing that could make it better is if we have some of your work for the show. Every year we're amazed by the quality and diversity of the work submitted to the show, but it just wouldn't be the same without something you've made. We'll show it off, then use proceeds from the silent auction to run our free earn-a-bike classes for Philadelphia kids. The strong momentum of cycling in Philadelphia, plus the audience and support the show has earned over the years, promises to make this year's show one of the best yet.

Top three reasons (among many) to be a Bike Part Artist
• Bike Art is awesome! We keep used bike parts out of the waste stream by putting them to use as a fun challenge and inspiration to our work. Past work has run the gamut from assemblage to paintings to jewelry to light fixtures to functional furniture to sculpture. It’s not essential that your submission incorporates actual bike parts. We love any art influenced by cycling! You can see examples of past work at www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org
• Exposure! The Bike Part Art Show has been growing every year, with widespread publicity and high attendance. If you get your work in early (see submission details below), we’ll exhibit it at preview shows around town, like the galleries at Moore's spring and summer exhibition Bicycle: people + ideas in motion, celebrating Philadelphia’s passion and commitment to the bicycle.
• Help Philadelphia kids build their own bikes at no cost to their families! Profits from the auction of the works help pay for free after school programs and scholarships for summer camps, where kids earn a bike by building one, and in the process learn practical life skills, environmental awareness, fitness and nutrition. It’s important to keep the classes free because the families of most Bike Works students couldn’t afford them, much less a bike. Though artists may not have expendable income either, the Bike Part Art Show turns your talent into a direct contribution to making the world a better place for Philadelphia kids, and by extension, for you.

How to be a Bike Part Artist
• Tell us you want in (or even that you're mildly interested). Send an e-mail to artshow@neighborhoodbikeworks.org. Please include your name, phone number, website and address.
• Think about the cool piece (or pieces) of art you want to make from bike parts or about bike culture. If you already have something in your collection, feel free to pull it out for the show.
• Get bike parts if you need them for your work. Join us for one of the “Bike Part Raids” at Neighborhood Bike Works to pick out and take home the parts that inspire you. See below for more info.
• Drop off your work to us at the times and places below.

Bike Part Raids
Need parts for your work? Join us at Neighborhood Bike Works in West Philly to root through our scrap pile and take what you like. You’ll find wheels, bearings, brake cables, frames, derailleurs, grips, spoke nipples, chain, and other sweet components. They’re not solid enough to ride, but they make great art! The next raids are:
Saturday June 13, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Thursday June 18, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Sunday June 21, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
All raids are at Neighborhood Bike Works located in the basement of St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Our headquarters can be hard to find, so visit our website for directions.

Participation deadlines and submission details

1. Email Kate at artshow@neighborhoodbikeworks.org to let us know when you’re coming, then submit your work at one of the times and places below. To make alternate arrangements, email Kate at artshow@neighborhoodbikeworks.org.

2. There are two participation deadlines. Early submissions have the opportunity to be featured in preview shows like Bicycle: people + ideas in motion, at the Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design.

Dropoff times/locations for preview shows and the Bike Part Art Show:
Tuesday July 7, 5015 Hazel Avenue in West Philly, 5 pm – 9 pm
Wednesday July 8, VOX Building at 319A N 11th Street, 4th floor, 4 pm – 8 pm.

Dropoff times/locations for the Bike Part Art Show:
Wednesday August 19, 5015 Hazel Avenue in West Philly, 5 pm – 9 pm
Thursday August 20, VOX Building at 319A N 11th Street, 4th floor, 4 pm – 8 pm

Spread the word!
Forward this email, tell all your art-loving and bike-loving friends, or join our facebook group!

Want to be more involved?
The Bike Part Art Show only gets better when more people help to plan and put it on. We would love to have you along for the ride! If you’re interested in volunteering in any capacity, before or during the show, please reply to this email and tell us a little about yourself. If you have some specific skills or assets you’d like to lend, we’re all ears!

Questions? Ask away! Email Kate at artshow@neighborhoodbikeworks.org or check our website.