To celebrate Art and Archaeology, the San Diego County Archaeological Society and California State Parks have collaborated to present an annual archaeology-themed juried art show and contest called "Excavations of the Self: Artifacts of Identity." SDCAS encourages artists to create or respond to "personal artifacts" that reflect the formation of individual and collective identity. Explore themes like ancestry, cultural heritage, and self-discovery.
Art and archaeology are inextricably linked. Archaeologists often study the artistic creations of past cultures, whether ancient Grecian mosaics or finely crafted stone tools of pre-contact California. Archaeological sites and past peoples have long served as sources of inspiration for artists working in a variety of mediums. There is considerable artistic skill displayed in hand-drawn archaeological mapping and artifact illustration, and field photos can also be well-composed works of art. People engaged in replicative arts recreate clothing, tools, and other objects from the past using traditional materials and techniques. In the Native American community, artists use cultural traditions that are thousands of years old.
The exhibition features five categories of artwork to showcase the various ways that art and archaeology intersect. Works in the Archaeological Line Drawing category are hand-drawn archaeological illustrations, including artifact illustrations, maps and other line drawings used in archaeology. The Photography category encompasses both archaeological field photography and fine art photography with an archaeological theme or subject matter. The Fine Art category includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and multimedia works with an archaeological theme or subject matter. In the Traditional Arts Category, works exhibit the use of traditional materials and/or techniques such as flintknapping, pottery, textile weaving/sewing, basketry, and blacksmithing. The Video category will include short videos with an archaeological or anthropological theme or subject matter-whether informational, instructional, or showing the artistic/ crafting process.
Entries are due in April; check back for more details.
Location information: The show opening will be held on April 25, 2025 at California State Parks Southern Service Center, 2797 Truxtun Road Barracks 26, San Diego, CA 92106