International House was established in 1981 to be a symbol of tolerance, understanding, and compassion to the international community. Our organization was opened to be a cultural center that provides people with the opportunities to learn, share, experience, and understand our neighbors, and to make lasting connections and friendships.
With Blumenthal Arts and International House partnering together for the Charlotte International Arts Festival, we are excited to present for the fourth year: The Journey.
This project focuses on the use of visual arts to illustrate the harrowing, complicated, and hope-filled journeys our immigrant and refugee neighbors take to come to the United States.
A Call for Artists
International House invites immigrant artists to submit a proposal for a piece that represents their journey to the United States, allowing the community to hear or see their story and take a walk in their shoes.
Participating artists must be over 18 years old and born outside the United States
If selected, as a participant who is chosen to create their piece for The Journey, each artist will be given a stipend as well as audience exposure during a 20-day display inside one of Charlotte International Arts Festival's venues. Once selected, each artist will have between the time of receiving an acceptance email and a due date allowing enough time to be dropped off with Blumenthal Arts to be installed.
Additionally, all selected artists will be invited to a gallery event, hosted by International House, where community members will see your artwork, ask questions, and possibly purchase available work.
The community members will vote, and the winning artist will have their artwork featured in International House’s Annual Report for 2024 as well as win a prize provided by International House.
SUBMISSIONS: Closed
Submission for The Journey are open through August 1st, 2024.
Submit your artistic vision: Proposals should be designed to not exceed 36" in any direction. 3-D pieces must weigh less than 50 pounds. Please complete and submit the application form to identify your title, visual idea, and a brief narrative for the art piece. If selected, you will have until September 9th to complete and drop off your piece for installation.
Previous Years
2024
In 2023, the wining artist by in-person voting was Maryna Solohub with "Defender"
To learn more about Maryna and the 17 other Artists who participated please click here.
2023
In 2023, the wining artist by in-person voting was Anuja Jain with "Cultural Triumph"
To learn more about Anuja and the twelve other Artists who participated please click here.
2022
The winning artist for The Journey in 2022 was Aguinaldo Santos with "Brothers."
To learn more about Aguinaldo and the story behind his art, read this article here.
2021
In 2021, International House launched The Journey Art Exhibit & Competition. The first winner of The Journey is Àngela Lubinecky.
To read more about Àngela and her story click here. To watch her make her winning art piece click here.