From the March 14, 2012 news item on Nanowerk,

Cutting-edge artists from across the world will participate in the “Art of the Small”, a juried exhibition held in conjunction with the Nanotech Commercialization Conference, April 4-5, 2012 at the American Tobacco Campus, in Durham, NC. Artists were invited through an open call to exhibit work inspired by nanotechnology, nanobiotech, biotechnology, genomics, DNA, and genetics. Winning artists in several categories will receive a cash award to be announced at the awards and VIP reception. The art exhibition is open to the public on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 from 5 to 7pm at Bay 7 of the American Tobacco Campus in Durham, NC.

Well, the deadline for entry is tight (March 17, 2012) but if you’re an artist who happens to have something easily available that fits the criteria, here’s more information from the conference’s art entry page,

Eligibility

The ART OF THE SMALL is open to all artists, 18 years of age and older. All media is acceptable for submission, however the artist is completely responsible for its transportation (shipping, packing, return shipping/packaging costs).

Original or limited-edition 2-dimensional artwork, 3-dimensional sculpure and installation work and media arts projects will be considered.  Maximum dimensions for 2-dimensional artwork are 48 inches high and 72 inches wide. There is no specific slze limitation for 3-dimensional work, but space, weight and logistical limitations may influence selection by the Judges.  Media art work must be provided in digital form (no 1/2″or 3/4″ video tape) and will be projected or displayed on monitors.

Theme

In the broadest sense, nanobiotechnology is the use of nanotechnology in relation to biological processes, organisms or systems to develop products aimed to improve some aspect of life.  Biotechnology at its roots is a very old science, stretching back 7,000 years to the creation of bread, cheese, wine, and vinegar (which all depend on harnessing and modifying some biological process).  The field has expanded dramatically over the last quarter century, powered by our understanding of genomics, DNA, the structure of materials and atoms.

…

How to Enter

What to Submit for Consideration by the Judges:
Please send us high-quality photographs of your work that are well-photographed with evenly distributed lighting and accurate color.  Each artist may submit up to five individual entries.  If an individual work of art consists of multiple components, photograph the entire work as it should be installed (i.e., all the components together) with an explanation that it is a photograph of a single work, plus the overall dimensions of the work.

Print Submissions:
Print submissions that will be mailed in should be printed on 8″ x 10″ paper or digitally printed on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper.

Online Digital Submissions Specifications:
Once you will fill out and submit your online entry form(s), you will be sent instructions for uploading your images.
• Image must measure at least at least 800 pixels by 625 pixels
• Image must be 300dpi
• Save the images with as little compression as possible
• File size less than 10 MB.
• Images must be MacIntosh compatible and saved in the JPEG or TIFF file format (with a .jpg or .tif extension).
• File names should not have spaces, punctuation marks, or non-English characters.
• File names should read as follows: example: titleofwork_artistname.jpg

Deadline for Submissions:
All submissions must be received by Saturday, March 17, 2012 for judging.

Judging and Notification of Acceptance:
The Judges will review all submitted work, and the artists will be informed whether their work has been selected on Friday, March 23, 2012.

There are more details about the theme and what to do in the event that your work is chosen for the show on the conference’s art entry page.

As for the conference itself, here’s a bit more from the conference home page,

Nanotech Commercialization Conference
Research Triangle, Durham, North Carolina
April 4-5, 2012

The NCC [not nanocrystalline cellulose but Nanotech Commercialization Conference] is the preeminent nanotechnology conference being held in the South this year. Nanotech innovators, cutting edge start-ups, leading researchers, and visionary will be in attendance. If you are involved in the field, you should not miss this conference.

Over the last decade, the nanotechnology field has turned the corner from science fiction to multi-billion dollar business, rapidly becoming the center of the materials science field, and has made major game-changing innovations in clean energy, electronics and biotechnology.

The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association has joined the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology to co-host the Nanotechnology Commercialization Conference, a groundbreaking event for international nanotechnology stakeholders.

“For several years, North Carolina has been recognized as a top state for nanotechnology research and practical application,” said John Hardin, Executive Director of the Office of Science & Technology in the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  “This conference, which focuses on moving nanoscience from the lab to the global market, will both highlight North Carolina’s pioneering role and help participants turn emerging nanotechnologies into skilled, high-wage jobs.”

By the way, the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association was formerly known as the NanoBusiness Alliance (last mentioned here in my July 5, 2010 posting).