ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Water is the primary medium, through which climate change influences Earth’s ecosystem and thus the livelihood and well being of societies.
“WATER FOR LIFE”, is an International cultural and artistic program that showcases around the world a series of artworks inspired by the theme of water.
“WATER FOR LIFE” theme was influenced by the famous underwater mural at the CÁRCAMO DEL RÍO LERMA, created by Diego Rivera and his Assistant Rina Lazo. As Rina Lazo stated about “Water for Life”, “I think it is very important that all human beings should have enough water to live with dignity.” She further added; “Diego Rivera painted the mural; Water as The Origin of Life, to end the thirst of humanity, he would be very proud if he knew about these group exhibitions.”
Through the theme of water, our objective is to raise awareness among the public and children about the important social and cultural issue: “More than a billion individuals – one in seven people on the planet – now lack access to safe drinking water.”
Today due to climate change, higher temperatures are affecting Oceans and Coast lines. Changes in extreme weather conditions are projected to affect availability and distribution of rainfall, snowmelt, river flows, groundwater, and further deteriorate water quality. More floods and severe droughts are predicted. Also changes in water availability will impact health and food security.
“Water for Life”, important cause, has received a significant support of multiple elected officials, and the public as water is the essence of life.
Since the first Water for Life, International Art exhibition in 2018, over 136 Internationally recognized artists, from 40 Countries participated across all the Water for life editions, contributed by increasing the awareness of global water issues with the public.
PREVIOUS INTERNATIONAL EXIBITIONS
List of International Exhibitions with recognized and award-winning Artists
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, First Edition, 2018, at the Niagara Falls History Museum, Ontario, Canada (37 Artists from 18 different Countries)
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Second Edition, 2018, at the Historic Distillery District of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (27 Artists from 12 Countries)
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Third Edition, 2019 at the University del Caribe, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. (17 Artists from 13 Countries)
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Fourth Edition, 2022 at the Maya Museum, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. (25 Artists from 16 Countries)
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Fifth Edition, 2023 at the Archeological Site Museum of Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. (16 Artists from 12 Countries)
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Sixth Edition, Navigating the Great Lakes with Antoine Gaber, Solo Exhibition, 2023 at the Archeological Site Museum of Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico.
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Seventh Edition, Navigating the Great Lakes with Antoine Gaber, Solo Exhibition, 2023 at the Maya Museum, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Eight Edition, 2024 at the Maya Museum, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. (17 Artists from 15 Countries)
Children and Adolescent Art Workshops
In 2018, “Water for Life” Children and Adolescent Art Workshops supported the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Children and Adolescence, for their health, recreation, art and culture. “World Day for the Rights of Children and Adolescence” partnered with Gaber, Artistic Director of “Water for Life” and brought these prestigious itinerant exhibitions in Florence, Italy to an International level with the Artworks of young people from other participating countries (Sweden, Canada, USA, Spain (Barcelona) and Mexico.
In 2019, “Water for Life” Children and Adolescent first exhibited in Canada at Niagara Falls Art Gallery/Niagara Children’s Museum, then at the Universidad del Caribe in Cancun, Mexico, to conclude at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence, Italy with the support of the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
In 2022, Selected students from Universidad del Caribe who shown the best artworks concepts were then submitted to the “Water for Life” International Committee for final approval, and were then honored by having their artworks exhibited at the Maya Museum in Cancun, Mexico in parallel to the “Water for Life” International Art Exhibition 4th Edition. Art students from the Universidad of La Salle had private meetings at the Maya Museum in Cancun with “Water for Life” participating and attending International artists to discuss their art concepts, techniques and the relation to the importance of protecting water.
In 2023, Water for Life, 5th Edition in Palenque, collaborated with the Site Museum of Palenque, the National Park, Palenque; Flora and Fauna Protection Area (APFF), Centro per l’UNESCO of Florence, and the Federal Secretariate of Culture to offer a Water for Life Workshop for kids and adolescents of the area of Lakamha’
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Ninth Edition
In this 9th Edition, “Water for Life” main objectives are to create awareness about protecting water sources, particularly due to Global Climate Changes that will affect its availability.
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Ninth Edition, will be held at the prestigious Niagara Falls History Museum, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
The Exhibition will take place from October 4th 2024 – January 5th 2025 .
The “Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, Ninth Edition, partnered with:
UNESCO (Florence, Italy)
City of Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls History Museum
For centuries, the wonder of Niagara Falls has amazed and awed millions of visitors, a palpable experience as you witness the torrent of water race over the brink and feel the mist rising around you. Long before European contact, stories and legends from Canada’s First Peoples described the great Falls as a place of spiritual significance. With 20% percent of the world’s fresh water passing over Niagara Falls, this city is the ideal backdrop to highlight the global inequalities of our access to clean water.
Historically, artists have pushed societal boundaries with their choice of subject matter and have challenged their viewers to do the same. The artistry in this exhibition explores the theme of water, recognizing that more than a billion individuals – one in seven people on the planet – lack the resource of safe water. Water for Life conveys the message that water is essential to our very existence as it sensitizes audiences to this critical social issue.
Over 12.5 Million visitors per year visit Niagara Falls and its beautiful surroundings and participate in on-going activities.
This event will accept the following art categories techniques; painting, photography, drawing, mixed media, digital art, sculpture, printing, and installations.
HIS WORSHIP JIM DIODATI, MAYOR NIAGARA FALLS & PATRON OF THE EXIBITION
IMPORTANT ARTIST INFORMATION
BENEFIT TO THE PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
- Contribution to your artistic development
- Opportunity for the artist to exhibit in a Prestigious Museum / spaces supporting their curriculum
- Promote their artwork in different Countries
- Communicate with other artistic colleagues for a cultural exchange and way of living in their respective Countries
- Official recognition of artists by elected Dignitaries (such as Mayor and Governor and several others)
- Important media coverage and State recognition as an Artist
- – Potential sale of artwork post exhibition
- Advancing your artistic practice
- – Learn through other artists new innovative techniques, mediums, ideas that you can bring back to your respective Country
- –Share your expertise and experiences with other colleagues from different Countries
- – Learn from other Artists successes and try to implement as part of a personal development
YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE WITHOUT ATTENDING
We do understand the cost of travelling, but this is a decision that each artist has to make if they feel it’s important to attend, or you can just send your artwork(s) to be exhibited which is an acceptable option. In this case our Staff will gladly assist and take the responsibility for the unpacking, set up, and set-off of the artwork on your behalf, at no additional cost to you. At the end of the exhibition they will pack it and send it back to your home/ studio with the transport company that you have previously established. Some of our key staff (including Mrs. Angelina Herrera) will be present for the set-up, inauguration and set off of the exhibition, therefore there is no need to worry.
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to reach Mrs. Angelina Herrera, International Cultural promotor/ Art Event Coordinator.
Artists will receive a 1.5 m (W) x 2.5 m (H) space, including frame for all hanging artwork.
General Regulations 2024-2025
Niagara Falls History Museum, ON, CANADA
4 October 2024 – 5 January 2025
THIS INFORMATION IS ONLY FOR SELECTED ARTISTS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO EXHIBIT BY THE SELECTION COMMITTEE. ARTISTS CANNOT PARTICIPATE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE AND THEREFORE THIS DOCUMENT CANNOT BE SHARED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE ORGANIZERS.
Painting, photography, drawing, mixed media, digital art, sculpture, printing, and installations.
2. ALLOCATED SPACE & ARTWORK SIZE:
Total allocated space per artist is 1.5 m (W) x 2.5 m (H) space, including frame for all hanging artwork. Depending on the artwork size a maximum of 1-3 artworks will be accepted. Please be advised that some empty space should be left between the artworks <10cm> for the best appreciation of the artworks.
ARTWORK SCULPTURES
For tri-dimensional small artworks (sculptures) the maximum total size should fit in 65 x 65 x 65cm glass display cases provided by the museum. A maximum of 3 small sculptures may be displayed inside the glass case as long as they fit within those dimensions. For any larger sizes please contact the International Cultural Promoter / Art Event Coordinator for other possibilities or potential options of display.
For larger size sculptures or installations please contact the organizers directly for possibilities of display
Please note that since this is an open public exhibition, Artist must follow the following policy:
ARTWORK shall not stereotype or promotes views and ideas which are likely to promote discrimination, contempt or hatred for any person on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, color, citizenship, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, receipt of public assistance or level of literacy.
ARTWORK shall be hanging ready i.e. having a wire on the back of frame, to easily hang from the picture hooks.
ARTWORK sizes as per the exhibition requirements MUST include the size of the frame.
ARTWORKS must have a label on the back with the artist’s name, nationality, title of the artwork, year of production, dimension and technique.
INSTALLATION/ SET-UP AND DE-INSTALLATION / SET-OFF
ART INSTALLATION (SET-UP):
Artworks should arrive in good conditions at the Niagara Falls History Museum 5810 Ferry St, Niagara Falls, ON, CANADA, L2G 1S9
Attention to:
Suzanne Moase, Museum Curator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1(905) 356-7521 ext. 5902
Curators and staff will be responsible to open the container and unpack the artwork for set up. The Artistic Director / Curators will be responsible for the layout of artwork within the allocated space. All return documentation for the artwork must be received along with the artwork (Way Bill for Transport, Customs documentation and CARNET) or afterwards by e-mail directly to the attention of the responsible person at the Museum and Angelina Herrera, Art Event Coordinator.
Your artwork delivery date must be between 23 – 28 September 2024 at the latest, between 10:00 and 17:00 at the Niagara Falls History Museum.
Set-up will be done from September 23rd – October 3rd 2024.
Opening Reception for Artists, Personalities and VIP Guests on October 4th, 2024, from 19:00-21:00PM.
ART DE-INSTALLATION (SET-OFF):
At the end of the Exhibition artworks will be handled by Staff under supervision of Curators and wrapped in their original packaging and containers for transport to pick them up on assigned agreed return date. ALL return paperwork such as Way Bill for Transport, Customs documentation or CARNET provided by the artist will be attached to the returning artwork to the transport Company.
You must pick up your artwork on January 6th – 10th, 2025 starting at 10:00 AM until 17:00 PM exclusively. Please ensure if you are not attending and shipping your artwork to the MUSEUM, that you have the entire return paperwork ready and available to be attached to your packaging for transport and customs.
We cannot accept to hold any artwork left behind by the artist after January 10th 2025 due to other exhibitions.
4. ORGANIZATION FEE
Some of the organization fee required for the entire period of the Exhibit are to support the following; event coordination and organization, curatorial services, catalogue design, preparation of lists and invitations for guests and dignitaries, promotional material, handling of the artwork for set up and set off, packing of the artwork in original containers ready for transport pick up, artwork labels design and printing, translation where applicable, press releases, social media activities, website updates, PR communication (TV, radio, written press), marketing strategy, event promotion, identification of local collaborators to support the cause, vernissage/opening logistics, Artwork sales assistance/ management, video production / event photos capture, Certificate of Participation depending of the event.
Please note that Organization fee does not include transport, custom clearance, duty fees, insurance or storage costs (when applicable).
To guarantee your registration, and inclusion for this event, non-refundable Organization Fee must be paid in a single Installment or in 2 Installments with the following 2 options and discounts:
ORGANIZATION FEE (NON-REFUNDABLE) must be paid in 1 single or 2 Installments, by Bank Wire Transfer or PayPal link with option to pay from your PayPal account or credit card)
(ONCE READY TO REGISTER, PAYMENT INFORMATION WILL BE SENT SEPARATELY TO YOUR E-MAIL BY THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT COORDINATOR)
** AS SPACE IS LIMITED EARLY REGISTRATION WILL BE PRIORITIZED
In the event that a Sponsor and not the Artist issue the payment, for tax reasons the invoice will be made out to the individual or corporation that made the payment.
5. ARTISTS SPONSORSHIP
In the event that an Artist may have Sponsorship in order to help for the participation to this event, we are pleased to inform Artists that we will allow inserting the logo of maximum 3 Sponsors on the bottom of the Artist’s page in the Digital Catalogue. We hope that this may help Artists who need some sponsorship funds to participate. Artists will be responsible to provide by e-mail the logo of their Sponsors by September 1th, 2024 deadline. In the event the Artist requires a personalized letter to support their Sponsor request forfinancial assistance, please contact Mrs. Angelina Herrera, the Art Event Coordinator.
6. FORCE MAJEURE
In the event of force majeure or, in any case, due to reasons beyond the control of the Organizers, the date of the Exhibition may be changed or even cancelled. In the latter case, the Organizer shall reimburse the amount paid by the Artist as of the relevant date.
7. ACCESS DATE & TIME:
“Water for Life” International Art Exhibition, 9th Edition will be held from 4th October 2024 – 5th January 2025 at the Niagara Falls History Museum located at 5810 Ferry St, Niagara Falls, Ontario, CANADA, L2G 1S9.
Phone: +1 (905) 358-5082
HOURS OF OPERATION:
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (free admission 5-9p.m.) |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
8. INSURANCE COVERAGE / DAMAGES & LIABILITY:
A. Artists are responsible to ensure that their artwork is fully insured during transport outside of the Exhibition premises. Please note that the Maya Museum in Cancun, ABUGABER CANADA INC., or organizers cannot be liable for any damages to your artwork outside of the Museum Gallery or if managed by a transport company.
B. During the Exhibition period, External Guards or Museum Staff will be present at all times during opening hours to the general public to ensure safety of your artwork. However please note that any Artist who wishes to insure their artworks for any other risks should make personal arrangements with their insurer at their own cost.
C. The Museum shall be responsible for the reasonable safekeeping of all consigned Artworks while they are in its custody. Artworks are handled with care and expertise and with all safety measures possible.
D. ABUGABER CANADA INC. does not assume any liability of the Artwork for any transport damage, fire, theft, flood, vandalism, or other causes including storage during the event period.
E. Artists must provide the Curator/ Artistic Director the displayed artworks list details such as; size, technique, photo, price value in Canadian Currency $ at least 90 days prior to the exhibit (latest July 4th, 2024) to submit to the Museum insurance for coverage in case of damage while on the Museum premises. Please ensure that the value you declared in your CARNET is the same value for the insurance coverage, otherwise they will not pay for a different high value declared.
9. CATALOGUE:
The main selected artwork and the artist portrait will be published along with the biography (max. 200 words) in the “Water for Life” digital Catalogue. The digital catalogue will be available for wide International distribution for the artists promotion, on the Museum website, and for media promotion with our collaborators and partners. The digital catalogue located on the Museum web site will be Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”) compliant. The aims are to identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.
Each participating artist will be represented in the digital catalogue. The catalogue will require artist to submit the following:
Final biography (max.200 words) in English,
One high-resolution image of the artwork to be printed in the digital catalogue (TIFF or JPG 300DPI); (max 5MB 300dpi 1710 mm x 1905 mm Landscape) with the details (title, technique, year of production, size (cm) and representing Country). For sculpture please include height and depth,
An Artist COLOR portrait image(TIFF or JPG MAX 3MB 300dpi approx. size 550 mm x 450 mm or ~ 1,300 x 1,200 pixels)
Example:
Please note that the artwork included in the catalogue must be exhibited. If you are exhibiting 2 or 3 artworks, curators will require lower resolution images (jpg) to be sent and the details of each artwork (title, artwork size, technique/medium) for the purpose of the labeling and setup.
The Artistic Director/ Curator reserves the right to ask Artists to change or modify the chosen artwork for publication, at its own discretion.
Artists are entirely responsible to bring or send their artwork to the exhibition location and assume all inherent costs; including customs fees, documentation and any other pertaining costs as the Museum will not pay any fees at delivery or otherwise. All large wood crates or storage container will be stored complimentary on site during the exhibition period depending of space. Larger crates will be stored off-site during the exhibition period in a storage facility.
11. VERNISSAGE / OPENING:
The vernissage/ opening will be held on 4th October 2024 from 19:00-21:00 at the Niagara Falls History Museum in the presence of the Mayor of the City, Member of Provincial Parliament, Member of Parliament, other dignitaries and special guests.
Photo opportunities with the Mayor will be possible for participating attending artists during the opening Friday October 4th, 2024 from 17:00-19:00 PM. The Curator/ Artistic Director, will need to receive an e-mail confirmation of your attendance by the latest September 4th, 2024, in order to brief the office of the Mayor of your presence during the opening, and plan for photo opportunities with Artist. Hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. A Cash bar will be made available to the general public (VIPs and Participating Artists will get some complimentary tickets).
12. ARTWORK SALES:
Based on your Customs agreement you will be able to sell your Artwork only after the exhibition, to the general public. You will need to provide your price in Canadian Currency when you fill in the forms for registration. The organizers will not take any commission in case of sales. Any interested customers will be referred directly to the artists to complete their sales transaction. Organizers may assist to facilitate discussions due to language barriers.
The Artwork(s) must be available for the duration of the exhibition and are not to be removed from the Museum until the end of the exhibition date.
CARFAC FEES CLARIFICATION
Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC). The exhibition right for Canadian Artists, normally entitles visual artists to receive payment when their work is exhibited in a public exhibition and is not for sale. Since your artwork will be available for sale; participating artists during this exhibition must agree to wave any payments requests for exhibiting their art during the period of this exhibition.
During the period of set/up and exhibition, Artist agrees that the public will have the rights to photograph or use videography for their personal use only of the artwork.
ARTISTS must agree to the terms and conditions by signing the COPYRIGHT RELEASE FORM / PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT below for this event.
The copyright release allows for a limited use of copyright privileges so that the person to whom the release is addressed will be free from threat of legal prosecution. Copyright releases are a way of legally granting another person right to your work for a specific event. With your permission, that person can use that work for public use, social media promotion or display, as it will be the case for the Niagara Falls History Museum and Artistic Director, Curator and Associates involved in this event.
CONTACT E-MAIL:
For any information, please contact Mrs. Angelina Herrera, International Cultural promotor/ Art Event Coordinator at: [email protected]