Artist Opportunities

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Call for Art: REMOVING BARRIERS

What does it mean to remove a barrier?

Barriers can be visible or invisible. They can be physical, emotional, social, cultural, economic, environmental, or personal. Some are built by systems, others by circumstance, and some exist only until someone finds the courage to challenge them.

We invite artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to explore the theme Removing Barriers through original artwork. Consider the obstacles that separate people from opportunity, understanding, belonging, or one another. Reflect on the moments when walls come down, voices are heard, access is expanded, or new paths are created.

Your work might explore:

• Accessibility and inclusion
• Community and connection
• Overcoming personal challenges
• Breaking stereotypes and assumptions
• Environmental or geographic barriers
• Cultural exchange and understanding
• Equity, justice, and opportunity
• Hope, resilience, and transformation

This theme is intentionally open-ended. Whether your work is abstract or representational, personal or community-focused, we encourage thoughtful interpretations that inspire conversation, empathy, and possibility.

We welcome submissions in all visual art media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, fiber, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art.

Art has the power to open doors, build bridges, and invite us to see the world through another person’s experience. We look forward to seeing how you interpret Removing Barriers and the many ways art can help create a more connected and inclusive community.

This show is on display at Creative Flow Art Center from September 19^th through October 31^st with an opening reception on September 24^th from 6pm to 8pm.

For some artists, entry fees can be a barrier to participating in a call for art. For this exhibition, we have removed the entry fee.

If you feel inspired to help support this exhibition with a donation, please click the button below. Thank you for your generosity!

Overview of Timeline:

• Applications Close: Thursday, August 20^th at 11:59pm
• Artists Notified: Friday, August 28^th 
• Drop-Off: Tuesday, September 15^th 2pm – 6pm
• Opening Reception: Thursday, September 24^th  6pm – 8pm
• Pick-Up: Tuesday, November 3^rd 2pm – 6pm

Required Application Materials:

Completed Application Form – Due Thursday, August 20^th at 11:59 pm.

• You must complete all required information on the application form. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applications must be submitted electronically to be accepted.  If you need any help with this, please contact Emily for assistance at [email protected].
• If contributing artists exceed expectations, Creative Flow Art Center reserves the right to close submission acceptance early.

Up to two images of artwork 

• You will upload the image(s) of your artwork in your application form. You MUST name each image file with your last name and first initial, entry number, and artwork title. (Example: DoeJ_01_Venus, DoeJ_02_Primavera)
• Please submit images as a JPEG file.
• Please submit well-lit images featuring only the artwork. Blurry, cluttered, and poorly lit images will NOT be used in press materials.

Judging:

This show is juried. The judge will award a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize. The first place recipient will receive $100, second place $75, and third place will be awarded $50.

Our Call for Entries are juried by different anonymous artists who are professionals in a creative field related to the show’s theme. When making their decisions many aspects are taken into consideration. The judge will examine the overall cohesion of the submitted artworks, adherence to the theme, presentation, and compliance to the application guidelines.

Application Guidelines:

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please contact Emily Robinson at [email protected].

• ALL ages can apply! We are a community art center and believe that you can be an artist at any age. 
• Your artwork must be ready for installation. ONLY wired hanging systems will be accepted for work that is meant to be hung. (e.g. paintings, drawings, prints, hanging sculptures…). If your art is not ready for installation, it will not be included in the show.  If you need help with this, please contact Emily at [email protected]
• All mediums can apply, with the exception of digital/virtual art forms that require technological support to be displayed.    
• Accepted artwork will be labeled with a price. Submitted artwork marked NFS or left empty in the entry form will be marked NFS (Not for Sale).
• Creative Flow Art Center will take a 35% commission on the sale price of any artwork sold during the show. Please price your pieces accordingly.
• All accepted artworks MUST be dropped off at the Creative Flow Art Center Gallery on Tuesday, September 15^th 2pm – 6pm.
• Artwork that has been unclaimed after 2 weeks will become property of the Creative Flow Art Center, either being added to our collection of artworks or sold as part of a fundraiser for the organization.
• Creative Flow Art Center will not ship artwork back to participating artists; all artworks must be picked up in-person.
• You may NOT remove your artwork from the gallery earlier than the designated pick-up time.

Liability:

All reasonable care will be taken with artwork. Creative Flow Art Center staff and volunteers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to artwork including frames and mountings, no matter how damage/loss is caused. All entries submitted are subject to this condition. We suggest that artists ensure work privately if they feel the need for such protection.

Additional Notes:

• Buyers of artwork sold during the exhibit agree that the artwork will remain in the Creative Flow Art Center Gallery until the show ends.
• If an artwork sells, you will be notified via email.
• Reproduction of Images for Publicity – Permission is granted to the Creative Flow Art Center for reproduction of artwork for advertising purposes. Entry into the exhibit constitutes agreement with this rule. Images of artwork may be used for flyers, press releases, posters, on the Creative Flow Art Center website (creativeflowartcenter.org), social media, etc.