CALL FOR - MACABRE - ARTISTS’ TEAMS “LIBRARY MACABRE” VISIONS OF LITERARY FRIGHT! curated and co-created by Drew Hunter aka Dr. Blood SEPTEMBER 12 – OCTOBER 31, 2014 Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of artspace 710 Street – Downtown, Shreveport (the center for the creation, production, exhibition, and presentation of the Arts…and the Macabre)

SCOPE: The Shreveport Regional Arts Council is seeking brave and visionary Northwest Artists to create imaginative moments of fright based upon DR. BLOOD’S LIBRARY MACABRE great works of literary horror. Visions of Literary Fright!

CALL FOR ARTISTS The Truth behind the Legend: Dr. Blood is the creation of Seeking brave and visionary local artists to create imaginative moments of fright former Shreveport artist and creative spirit, Drew Edward Hunter. Back in 1975 based upon great works of literary horror. Drew was president of the Gas Light Players, a local community theater group. Their theater was located in an old exhibit building on the Louisiana State Fairgrounds. WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT? Each autumn they were required to stage a show for the fairgoers. After several The infamous and diabolical Dr. Blood -- The Physician of Fright -- is returning years of lackluster short plays and slim crowds, Drew suggested to the GLP board of to Shreveport after a mysterious absence of almost 30 years! He will lead teams Directors that they stage a highly theatrical, visually elaborate and utterly terrifying of local artists in creating delightfully frightful environments to be installed in haunted experience. The board agreed. Drew wrote and designed the show and the mainspace gallery at artspace. Each team will design and construct a Dr. developed the character of Dr. Blood to serve as a host and media spokesghoul . Blood approved installation based upon a classic work of literary fright fiction, or a Drew -- performing as the good doctor -- was soon being interviewed by moment of fear as described in such a work. the newspapers, television news and other programs and making personal appearances. The first show -- Dr. Blood’s Exposition of Terror --was an immediate WHO IS DOCTOR BLOOD? and incredible success. In fact, soon after opening the first Friday of the fair, guests This is the Legend: The good doctor is the originator of “Phobiatry”, the scientific were so terrified by the final scene that they stampeded, tearing down the exit as study of fear, and conducts his work out of his secluded Institute of Phobiatric they ran out. Research. Decades ago he mounted fabulously fear-inducing theatrical experiments each year during the Louisiana State Fair in association with the Gas Light Players. Drew’s involvement in the Dr. Blood attraction lasted through the 1985 Fair. He moved to , and in no time found a new home for his character at the Wax Using the fine citizens of the Ark-La-Tex as guinea pigs, Dr. Blood and his disturbing Museum in between Dallas and Fort Worth. Dr. Blood went on to host several Fright Chosen Ones subjected guests to a spectacular series of themed interactive Fests at Six Over Texas, and later hosted his own haunted attraction -- Dr. experiences, starting with The Exposition of Terror in 1975 and ending with Blood’s ScreamScapes! -- just north of downtown Dallas. CompuTerror! in 1985. Fortunately for the doctor, it is human nature to want to get scared, so there was never any lack of willing subjects. The wait time just to get Today Drew is the VP of Creative Design at Sally Corporation in Jacksonville, Florida. inside his experiment each year was often three hours or more. Sally is renown around the globe for its design and production of realistic animatronic characters and interactive dark ride attractions for theme and amusement parks. Dr. Blood eventually disappeared as mysteriously as he had arrived. It is rumored that he revived his horrific but popular experiments in a wax museum in the Dallas area, and Drew will be the Cureator and Co-Creator for the mainspace installation, then at Over Texas, and later in other venues. Since the late 1990s he has been LIBRARY MACABRE, and simultaneously exhibiting his own artworks in coolspace. out of the public eye, lurking in the shadows of nightmares, just waiting to return.

And return he shall -- to artspace -- and there he will lead and inspire brave and talented local artists as they create a one-of-a-kind installation for the haunting season ---- WHAT ARE THE DETAILS? ARTIST TEAM FEES:

The ScreamTeams: Drew, in association with the artspace Artistic Director, We will pay in blood! Each selected SCREAMTEAM will receive a commission of William Joyce, will select eight ScreamTeams of local artists based upon their $2,000 for the creation, fabrication, supplies/materials, installation and subsequent concept submittals. Each ScreamTeam will be comprised of up to four artists strike/removal of the artwork. who will be responsible for creating one coherent themed installation. It should artistically suggest either an entire classic work of fright fiction or a Additionally, the SCREAMTEAM will have access to the SRAC Warehouse for use of particular moment from a classic work of fright fiction. Drew -- in coordination supplies and materials. with his trusted associate, Dr. Blood -- will oversee and direct the progress. The team will own the (non-borrowed) Artwork. The team may choose to offer elements for purchase with 70% of the sale price going to the Artist and 30% THE INSTALLATIONS: to artspace; or keep the work. Any remaining work after the strike date will become the property of SRAC.

Each ScreamTeam will create one installation, the size and shape of which will be based upon an approved format and dimensions. The installation must be an artistic vision based upon the fright fiction classic work of literature as selected by the THE $2,000 FEE WILL BE PAID AS FOLLOWS: team. The final installation will be in accordance with all other guidelines such as: • $1,000 upon signing the contract and evidencing that all SCREAMTEAM members • No use of sharp/dangerous items/weapons which pose an injury threat to guests. are listed on the NWLA Artists Directory • No use of live animals (except humans....!) • $800 on the Opening Night of LIBRARY MACABRE • No depictions in painting, sculpture, video or other formats which show • $200 upon completion of Strike as accepted by the SRAC Exhibition Director excessive gore or overt acts of violence. The team will determine if one check will be issued to the leader or if each artist • No fire, flame, fireworks or sparks. (drat these Fire Marshalls) will receive the fee, separately. • No firearms. (drat these Fire Marshalls) ELIGIBILITY: THE SUBJECT MATTER: All artists listed on the Northwest Louisiana Artists’ Directory (Directory) are Each ScreamTeam will choose one classic work of fright fiction -- or a moment eligible to submit a proposal. from a work of fright fiction -- and will base their artistic installation on that work. The installations must be original interpretations based upon the literary work, not 1. At least one artist – the lead artist – must be on the Directory at the time of on the motion pictures, television programs or any other versions of the work. submission.

The suggested selections of classic fright fiction to be considered for the installations are: 2. All artists on the team must become listed on the Directory within one week of announcement of proposal acceptance, and before contact is issued. • The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson • The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 3. Selected teams may welcome volunteers to assist; volunteers will be credited on • It by Stephen King the “recognition materials;” however the SCREAMTEAM members who expect to be compensated and named as Artists must be on the Directory. • Interview with The Vampire by Anne Rice • The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe 4. Tiana Kennell, SRAC offices at the Central ARTSTATION is prepared to assist • The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P.Lovecraft Northwest Louisiana Artists in self-identifying via “listing” on the Directory. Call for a personal appointment during or “after” hours: 318-673-6500 • Dracula by Bram Stoker • The Shining by Stephen King 5. Requirements for Northwest Louisiana Artist Directory “listing” include 10 samples of artworks; an Artist’s bio/resume; and an Artist’s statement, all • The Turn of the Screw by Henry James submitted digitally. The Bossier Arts Council “One Stop” team and resource • I Am legend by Richard Matheson center will help you prepare your work for submission to the Directory. • Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley • Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin DUE DATE:

• Masque of the Read Death by Edgar Allan Poe Conceptual Proposals will be received via email or drop box no later than • The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty 12:00 midnight, Friday, August 1. Submit online at http://artspaceshreveport.com/artist-applications/ Other selections should be proposed via e-mail to [email protected] - in advance of submitting proposal for approval TIMELINE: Proposals due: Midnight, Friday, August 1 Announcement of SCREAMTEAMS: Wednesday, August 6 Contracts issued: Wednesday, August 13 Final Proposals – with detailed schematic – due: Wednesday, August 20 Drew Hunter – Dr. Blood – arrives: Friday, August 22 Review of Proposals and affirmation of Plan for Advancement: Saturday, August 23 – ALL SCREAMTEAMS must attend this initial planning day! WORKING PERIOD in artspace: Monday, August 25 – Wednesday, September 10 Lighting and Final “Dress:” Thursday, September 11 OPENING NIGHT: Friday, September 12 Exhibition Dates: Saturday, September 13 – Saturday, November 1 Strike Period: Monday, November 3 – Thursday, November 6

SUBMISSION:

The Conceptual Proposal will include the following:

1. The selection of the Classic Fright Fiction and any applicable title of the work

2. A concept statement briefly describing the goal and scope of the installation

3. A detailed (2-3 paragraphs) explantion of the proposed installation to include key “set pieces/installation elements,” color palette and medium, size/dimensions to include height, width, and depth within artspace

4. A sketch/rendering of the proposed space: This does not need to be a “to scale schematic” – just a conceptual drawing to illustrate your idea.

5. A proposed “work schedule” describing the team’s availability to work on-site at artspace

6. The listing of all SCREAMTEAM members with addresses, contact information, and “Directory Status” artspace is a program of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC); William Joyce serves as the Artistic Director for artspace. SRAC welcomes “home” Meg Fournier – returning to Shreveport from Portland, Maine - as the new Exhibition & Program Director. Meg begins her career with SRAC on July 1 and will arrive in Shreveport in early August to work with Drew Hunter, and Olivia Koncar Exhibition & Program Manager to produce LIBRARY MACABRE!

710 Texas St., Downtown Shreveport, LA 71101 318-673-6535 www.artspaceshreveport.com