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Our logo is the nautilus shell, a symbol of growth, persistence, beauty and grace 

 Artists working in an experimental manner need a society where they can share ideas and techniques – both old and new and encourage the development of new talents and skills.  There is a need to connect, encourage, inform and promote artists who create art by experimentation and exploration.  We need new ways to make statements through our art and provide a forum to exhibit our work. 

Maxine Masterfield

A LITTLE HISTORY

ISEA was founded in 1991 by Maxine Masterfield and Gracie Hegeman. They felt constrained by the rules that were in place for art exhibits of other leading national and international artists’ groups.  Maxine and Gracie wanted to create an organization that celebrated experimentation and exploration and provided a way to share ideas and information. 

SIGNATURE STATUS

Juried exhibition acceptances may earn members points towards signature status in ISEA.

  • 3 signature status points qualify for Signature status (ISEA)
  • 6 points for Nautilus Fellowship (ISEA-NF)
  • 10 points for Master Fellowship (ISEA-MF)
Refer to the terms and conditions of each exhibition to determine whether acceptance  may grant signature status points. Members are encouraged to maintain records of their exhibition acceptances.

OUR MEMBERS

Since 1991, ISEA has had over 500 members in the USA and around the world.

In 2020, ISEA decided to allow regularly collaborating groups of artists to become "collaborative members". Collaborating artists had already been submitting works to ISEA exhibitions, and this new type of membership is intended to allow these artistic collaborations to earn signature and fellowship status within ISEA as collaborative teams.

International Society of Experimental Artists' Mission is to enthusiastically embrace creative thinking, imagination and experimentation.  We promote public interest in experimental art, and encourage and support artists’ creative journeys through exhibition, education and communication.   

ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS

Our annual juried ISEA exhibits have been held in top museums and cultural centers across the USA with an exchange exhibit hosted in Chicago in 2002; and then in Wales, UK in 2003, 2004 and 2013.

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 ANNUAL SYMPOSIA

Our Annual Symposium each year includes multi-day workshops, art demonstrations and a chance to network with artists working in open, creative and experimental ways.

LOCATIONS

Since 2004 ISEA has held our annual exhibition and symposium in Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington State, Florida, and California, and in 2020, St. Albert, Alberta Canada.  Here are is a listing of upcoming and  recent locations:

2024    Grand Haven, Michigan

2023     South Yarmouth, Massachusetts

2022 St. Albert, Alberta, Canada

2021 Mackinac Island, Michigan

2020 Virtual - Pandemic

2019 Lowell, Michigan

2018 Newport, Oregon

2017 Sanibel Island, Florida

2016 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

2015 Traverse City, Michigan

2014 San Pedro, California

2013 Sanibel Island, Florida

ONLINE EXHIBITIONS

The ISEA board strives to give our members new and exciting artistic avenues to display their work.

Starting in 2015 ISEA began offering the membership an annual online exhibition.  Viewing these exhibitions on our website is open to the public.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

As an educationally-based non-profit organization, ISEA offers scholarships available to our membership to be used for taking classes or workshops including the supplies needed.

© ISEA

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