Call for Art
Pages to Palette: Art Inspired by Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower
A collaboration between The Local Hand and Just Book-ish, this show invites local artists to create work based on the vision and wisdom of Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower.
Butler foresaw many of the challenges we are experiencing today, and she left us guidance for how to build our communities and create a more just world. The book circle event will be a space for our community to come together and further explore all that this book offers us.
Art and literature are powerful tools in bringing people together, and our intention is for this project to promote artistic exploration, critical thinking, and a space for neighbors to heal and create together.
Selected artists will receive a $500 stipend for their work.
Artwork will also be available for purchase, and artists will receive 75% of all sale proceeds.
Important Dates:
Tuesday, April 1 - Submission deadline
Thursday, May 1 - Artists are notified if they are selected
Friday, May 30 - Opening reception at The Local Hand
Sunday, June 22 - Book Circle event at Just Book-ish
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can submit their work?
- All artists living and working in the Greater Boston area are encouraged to apply.
- You must have read Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower (if you need a copy, we encourage you to purchase one from Just Book-ish).
- You must be able to drop off and pick up your work (if selected) at The Local Hand, located at 1912 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124.
Who will decide which work will be in the show?
A selection committee will carefully review each submission, and then decide which pieces of work will be included in the show. The selection committee will be comprised of local curators, elders, and youth in our community. Each member of the selection committee will receive a small stipend for their time.
When/how will I find out if my work was selected?
All artists will be notified on or before May 1, 2025. You will receive an email from someone on the selection committee team.
Will my work be for sale as part of the show?
Yes. All work that is included in the show will be available for purchase, at a price determined by the artist. The artist will receive 75% of sale proceeds, and The Local Hand will take a 25% commission.
How many pieces can I submit?
You can submit 1 or 2 pieces.
Is there a submission fee?
No. An important part of our mission is to financially support local artists, so there is no fee to submit. Furthermore, selected artists will receive a $500 stipend for their work (separate from any artwork sales).
If selected, where will my work be hung?
All selected pieces will be shown at The Local Hand, a shop + gallery located at 1912 Dorchester Ave in Boston. We will host an opening reception on Friday, May 30th to celebrate this body of work. We strongly encourage all artists to attend.
Sponsorship Opportunity
We are looking for sponsors to help us achieve our goal of financially supporting local artists here in Dorchester.
Sponsorship benefits include:
- Prominent logo placement on all marketing materials, including flyers, postcards, email blasts, and website
- Recognition at both events, with signage and/or a special mention
- Thank you posts on social media, on both The Local Hand and Just Book-ish accounts, which have combined over 8,000 followers
Sponsors will directly benefit the community by:
- Providing a paid opportunity for artists and properly compensating them for their work, time, and cultural contribution
- Offering a stipend to those on the selection committee
- Providing a space for neighbors to gather and appreciate art, discuss literature, and come together
- Supporting adjacent local businesses by activating Dorchester Ave, in both the Fields Corner and Ashmont neighborhoods
If you are interested in sponsoring this show, please click below to reach out to us.