Einstein and Picasso walk into a bar….

It’s Paris, it’s 1904, and an actual bar called the Lapin Agile is a hotspot attracting avant-garde artists, musicians, radical thinkers—and, in this play, one colorful time-traveler. Willits Community Theatre will present Picasso at the Lapin Agile, written by comedian Steve Martin and directed by Jim Mastin, from September 8–24. The play is a hilarious but profound celebration of the major themes of the 20th century.

WCT is seeking paintings or sculptures that look like something a brilliant but undiscovered artist might have bartered to pay a bar tab. These pieces would ideally be from our own local artists (discovered or otherwise) eclectic in style, and compatible with the art of the period.

The artwork will become part of the theatre set or lobby display during the run of the play, and will be sold after the play closes, as a fundraiser for Willits Community Theatre. The pieces will be considered outright donations to the WCT fundraiser, but unsold pieces can be returned to the artist after the play closes, or half the sales price can be provided to the artist for pieces that are sold.

Deadline for contact is Sat, Aug 12, and deadline for artwork drop-off is Sat, Aug 19. Contact Mary Buckley, marybuckley_@hotmail.com or 707-621-0339. More details are below.

CALL TO ARTISTS

Name of Venue or Event: Willits Community Theatre—set of Picasso at the Lapin Agile

Work Media: Paintings (and possibly sculptures) will become part of the theatre set—the Lapin Agile bar in 1904 Paris—or possibly part of the lobby display. The art pieces should look like something a brilliant but undiscovered artist might have used to barter for their bar tab. Pieces would ideally be from local artists (discovered or otherwise) and compatible with the art of the period.

Work Size: Up to about 24” x 36” size paintings, and sculptures depending on available space.

Timeline: Run of the play is September 8–24, with free dress rehearsal Thursday, Sept 7.

Entries Due: Must be delivered to WCT, or other arrangements made, by Saturday, August 19.

Selection Process: WCT selection committee will decide appropriateness of work, and reserves the right to decline proposed submissions. Work should fit into Paris 1904 bohemian-bar set theme.

Notification to artist:  Upon approval by committee.

Accepted Artwork: Paintings will be hung on walls of set (theatre flats), with limited floor or shelf space for sculptures.

Delivery: Pieces must be delivered to Willits Community Theatre, or delivery otherwise arranged, by Saturday, August 19.

Reception: Run of the play is September 8–24, with free dress rehearsal Thursday, Sept 7.

Exhibit or Event Ends: Sunday, September 24.

Pickup Artwork by: Unsold pieces, if return is desired, must be picked up by Saturday, August 30.

Publicity: General print and radio media, social media, art centers, etc.

Sales: Work in this exhibit will be considered outright donations to Willits Community Theatre fundraiser, but unsold pieces can be returned to the artist after the play closes, or half the sales price can be provided to the artist for pieces sold.

Contact: Mary Buckley, marybuckley_@hotmail.com or 707-621-0339.