[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Lyme Art Association announces a call for artists for Stillness: A Still Life, opening on April 18 – May 29, 2025, at Goodman Gallery.
In moments of chaos, artwork can function as a temporary pause for both artists and viewers. As painter Giorgio Morandi once observed, “To achieve understanding it is necessary not to see many things, but to look hard at what you do see.” This exhibition is an introspective exploration of the still life genre, inviting artists to engage deeply with composition, light, and form.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 21 March 2025
Individual and Associate Artists: $25 for one piece, $10 for each additional piece (up to 4 total)
Elected Artists: $30 for up to 4 pieces total
Key Dates
- Accepted List Announced: Friday, March 28
- Drop-off/Pick-up: April 11-13 (Fri-Sun), 10 AM – 5 PM
- Award Winners Contacted: Friday, April 18
- Opening Reception: Friday, April 25, 5 – 7 PM
Juror: Justin Wiest
Justin Wiest (b.1971) studied at the Schuler School of Fine Arts and the New York Academy of Art. He has taught still life painting at the Silvermine School of Art for over twenty years and has exhibited extensively along the East Coast.
Juror’s Statement:”Still life painting has always played a vital role in my artistic journey. The craft was learned through the successes and failures of setting up a still life. There is a nobleness in the care and composition of objects that often quietly exist next to us. Sometimes, the true nature of these things is unlocked by painting them.”
Stillness Prizes
- 1st Place: $300
- 2nd Place: $200
- 3rd Place: $100
- Plus one Award of Merit
Participating in Stillness: A Still Life offers artists valuable professional exposure, as the exhibition is juried by esteemed still life painter Justin Wiest, providing recognition, and credibility. Showcased at the Goodman Gallery, the exhibition allows artists to present their work to collectors, fellow artists, and art enthusiasts, creating opportunities for networking and sales. With all work required to be for sale, artists have the potential to earn from their pieces, with the gallery handling transactions. Additionally, cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, along with an Award of Merit, offer further recognition. This juried opportunity not only enhances an artist’s CV and portfolio but also provides essential exhibition experience in a professional setting.
About Lyme Art Association
The Lyme Art Association (LAA) is a dynamic and historically rich organization dedicated to supporting and showcasing representational art. With a legacy dating back to the Lyme Art Colony, LAA continues to provide a thriving space where emerging and established artists can exhibit their work, connect with the community, and gain professional recognition. Through juried exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs, LAA fosters artistic growth and preserves the tradition of representational art while embracing contemporary interpretations. Its commitment to high-quality exhibitions, experienced jurors, and artist-centered opportunities makes it an essential hub for artists and art lovers alike.
For more information, contact paul@lymeartassociation.org
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Visual Art Open announces a call for artists for Visual Art Open (VAO) 2025.
The VAO is a prestigious art competition celebrating creativity across all levels of artistic experience. Offering a £10,000 prize fund, this platform provides exceptional opportunities for artists, from emerging talents to established professionals. Participants gain global recognition through social media promotion, a finalist exhibition in London, and access to a network of art collectors and enthusiasts. The VAO fosters inclusivity with multiple categories, empowering artists from diverse backgrounds to showcase their individuality.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 12 March 2025
In collaboration with the Visual Artists Association (VAA), the competition ensures winners receive career-boosting support, including cash prizes, mentorship, memberships, and exhibition opportunities. As a not-for-profit initiative funded by registration fees, donations, and sponsorships, the VAO passionately supports artists while aiming to make art accessible and impactful. By entering, artists connect with a vibrant community, gain exposure, and embrace unique opportunities to advance their careers.
Artists can gain significant benefits from participating in the Visual Art Open (VAO) competition:
- Cash Prizes: The total prize fund of £10,000 includes financial rewards for winners, helping to support their artistic journey.
- Global Exposure: Winners and finalists receive extensive promotion across social media, exhibitions, and through a network of art collectors and enthusiasts.
- Exhibition Opportunities: Finalists showcase their work at a prestigious exhibition in London, offering a chance to connect directly with the art community.
- Career Support: Winners gain mentorship, Visual Artists Association (VAA) memberships, and guidance to advance their artistic careers.
- Community Engagement: Artists join a vibrant and supportive community, gaining inspiration and networking opportunities.
About The Visual Art Open
The Visual Art Open (VAO) stands out as an exciting and meaningful opportunity for artists at any stage of their career. It offers a platform for creative individuals to showcase their talent on a global scale, with the chance to gain international recognition and valuable exposure.
What makes it particularly intriguing is its holistic approach to supporting artists. Beyond the impressive £10,000 prize fund, the VAO provides career-advancing benefits such as mentorship, exhibition opportunities in London, and promotion across a network of collectors and art enthusiasts. Its inclusive categories encourage diversity and celebrate individuality in the art world.
Moreover, the competition’s partnership with the Visual Artists Association ensures ongoing support for winners, making it not just a contest but a career-boosting experience. The VAO also contributes to the art community as a not-for-profit initiative, adding a sense of purpose and impact. It’s a perfect blend of creativity, opportunity, and support!
For more information, contact info@visualartopen.com
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The New York Center for Photographic Art (NYC4PA) announces a call for artists for Trees, an online photography competition.
“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.”
Joyce Kilmer wrote those words in 1915. They hold true today. Trees are all around us in cities, towns, and the country. They can be a striking visual, as a standalone in a barren landscape or part of everyday life in the yard with an old tire swing hanging from a low branch. Trees are as much a part of the animal kingdom, providing limbs for resting and nesting, as they are wonderful sources of food for many species.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 6 April 2025
NYC4PA offers opportunities to participate in themed calls for photographers. Each call has a different theme and 50 images win. The prizes total $4,000. There is a grand prize, 3 first prizes, 3 second prizes, 3 third prizes, 20 juror’s selections, and 20 honorable mentions. All 50 winners are posted in a gallery on the NYC4PA website and included in an exhibition gallery. The call is open to any photographers worldwide and of any age, amateurs or professional. A professional photographer, gallery owner, or photography teacher is the juror.
About New York Center for Photographic Art
The mission of the New York Center for Photographic Art is to provide exhibition opportunities in the vibrant New York City gallery world to photographers around the globe. NYC4PA offers international, themed, open call competitions juried by recognized experts in the field of photography. Prizes include cash awards, online gallery, catalog, and New York City gallery exhibits.
For more information, contact nyc4pa@gmail.com
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Embracing Our Differences announces a call for artists for their outdoor juried art exhibition.
Since 2004, Embracing Our Differences has used the power of art to promote acceptance. The centerpiece of Embracing Our Differences is an outdoor juried art exhibition featuring 50 billboard size images (12.5 feet by 16 feet) created by local, national, and international artists. The display reflects the artists’ interpretations of the theme, Embracing Our Differences.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 1 July 2025
The outdoor juried art exhibition will be on display mid-January through mid-April 2026 in two locations in Sarasota and Pinellas counties in Florida.
- Awards are given for Best-in-Show Adult, Best-in-Show Student, and People’s Choice categories, with the last chosen by visitors to each exhibit location.
- Adult winners each receive $2,000.
- Student winners receive $2,000, with $1,000 to be directed to the student and $1,000 to their school’s art program, if they worked under the direction of an educator.
The 2024 exhibition was viewed by more than 422,000 visitors, allowing the artist to have their work viewed by locals and tourists from around the world.
About Embracing Our Differences
Embracing Our Differences is a Southwest Florida nonprofit celebrating individuality and shared humanity through art and education. An annual juried exhibition features thought-provoking artwork from around the world, sparking conversations about understanding and acceptance. Additionally, comprehensive educational programs engage students of all ages, providing them with the tools to critically examine their own biases and build empathy for others. Through interactive workshops, teacher training, and curriculum development, Embracing Our Differences equips educators to create inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive.
For more information, contact exhibit@embracingourdifferences.org
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Art Renewal Center announces a call for artists for The 18th International ARC Salon Competition.
When talking about competitions dedicated to 21st Century Realism, the Art Renewal Center’s International ARC Salon ® is the largest in the world, receiving over 5,000 entries from 87 countries last competition. It is no wonder why artists are entering.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 12 June 2025
Categories include: figurative, portraiture, imaginative realism, drawing, landscape, still life, plein air painting, fully from life, sculpture, animals, and a special category for teens.
ARC Salon Artist Benefits
With over $130,000 in cash awards and international recognition through the ARC website, which receives over 2,000,000 visitors annually, the ARC Salon offers career changing opportunities through partnerships with prestigious magazines, museums, and galleries. Don’t miss your chance to compete!
- All winners, honorable mentions, finalists, and semi-finalists will have their entries accompanied by their name and artwork details displayed on the ARC website. Biography, photo of the artist, and painting descriptions provided during the entry process may be shown for all qualifying works.
- All winners, honorable mentions, and some finalists will be featured in the 17th/18th International ARC Salon Book, “International Realism”.
- In addition, all winners and honorable mentions will receive an award certificate suitable for framing.
Works do not need to be available for sale to win any of the awards other then Purchase Awards. Works do not need to be available to exhibit in the ARC Salon Exhibition for all awards other then FWSD Awards.
About Art Renewal Center
Leading the revival of realism in the visual arts, the Art Renewal Center ® (ARC), a 501(c)(3), non-profit, educational foundation, hosts the largest online museum dedicated to representational art and includes works by the old masters, 19th century, and 21st Century Artists as well as articles, letters, and other online resources. The ARC is the foremost and only vetting service for representational art schools ensuring that the teaching curricula and quality of teacher and student work meet strict standards to become ARC Approved.
The ARC runs the ARC Salon Competition, which is the largest and most prestigious competition in the world for realist artists painting, sculpting, and drawing today with eleven categories and thousands of works competing, culminating in a live exhibition of many of the winning works. The ARC works with other ARC Allied Organizations, artist groups, museums, and publications to become a central news hub for the 21st Century Representational Art Movement.
For more information, contact sabrina.foland@artrenewal.org
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center announces a call for artists to submit original artwork to ‘Imaginary Worlds: Invented Spaces and Places.’ This art exhibition invites viewers to explore visionary landscapes, fantastic cityscapes, and surreal dreamscapes crafted by contemporary artists.
Blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination, the exhibition will showcase artwork that transports audiences to new and unexpected realms. Each piece serves as a portal into an artist’s unique, invented world, inspiring wonder, and curiosity. There is a heavy emphasis on worlds created by artists as opposed to preexisting fictional universes. Directly copywritten material will not be considered for inclusion in this opportunity.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 23 March 2025
Each artist accepted for Imaginary Worlds receives an individualized promotional graphic designed specifically for the show which artists can use on their social media. A digital catalogue is created for the exhibition which includes selected gallery photographs, juror and show information, and an individual spread exploring each artists work within the show.
There will be an opening reception with a cash bar, food truck, live music, and plentiful conversation which will be free for artists in attendance.
About Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center
Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center is committed to connecting people to art and nature. Through a wide variety of engaging exhibits, programs, classes, public projects, and annual events, Annmarie opens up opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and reflection. By providing opportunities for visitors to experience and engage in imaginative activities, Annmarie seeks to nurture the human spirit and contribute to a healthy society.
Annmarie is a Smithsonian Affiliate located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. Since 1992, Annmarie has captivated visitors of all ages with its natural setting and exceptional programs and events.
For more information, contact exhibits@annmariegarden.org
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] PleinAir Magazine announces a call for artists for their PleinAir Salon February Art Competition. In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual online competition, with 12 monthly cycles, leading to the Annual PleinAir Salon Art Competition, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition.
The competition rewards artists with $50,000 in all cash prizes each year with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir magazine.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 28 February 2025
The PleinAir Salon $50,000 Art Competition is an online competition consisting of 12 monthly cycles of competitions and one annual competition. They award a total of $50,000 in cash prizes each year for this competition.
- Annual Grand Prize winner receives a check for $15,000 and is featured on the cover of PleinAir Magazine
- Additional awards totalling $9,200 to the annual winners
- Awards totalling $2,150 in the monthly competitions.
Each of the 23 monthly winners will be automatically entered into the Annual Competition. Each of the monthly winners receive cash prizes, promotion in PleinAir Magazine, both print and digital. Winners are promoted in the digital edition of Fine Art Connoisseur, a magazine for art collectors. Artists receive editorial coverage in newsletters and websites. The annual awards are presented live at the Plein Air Convention & Expo each spring.
“It is always so exciting to win something, and also such an honor. I really like participating in the Plein Air Salon Competition for many reasons, but one is that you are so great about sharing and promoting the award winners. It makes me want to keep painting the best I can and to enter every month.” – Sheryl Knight
“PleinAir Salon has such a wonderful reputation for attracting world class artists that I was so impressed when I found out I was amongst the top 100 finalists. Then when I discovered I had won the Animal and Bird section I was completely speechless. I know I have worked hard over the last few years to really improve my craft, but this has been an overwhelming honor.” – Angela Parr
“Entering this contest on a monthly basis is something I have come to regard as both essential and enjoyable. It seems like every so often one of my paintings catches lightening in a bottle, so that’s a thrill. Thank you and the staff for all the work to promote artists and the arts.” – Christopher Forrest
About PleinAir Magazine
PleinAir Magazine is for plein air artists, enthusiasts, and collectors showcasing a wide variety of plein air paintings, articles on the top plein air artists of today and past, and the latest information on events and shows. The PleinAir Salon Art Competition has been awarding cash prizes and promoting artists for 12 years. The PleinAir Salon is celebrating their 14th year and was created by PleinAir magazine publisher, Eric Rhoads.
For more information, contact pleinairsalon@streamlinepublishing.com
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Decatur Arts Alliance announces a call for artists working in all media for their 2025 Fine Arts Exhibition, Cat and Mouse.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 14 March 2025
Cat and mouse is a playful way to illustrate a certain type of power struggle. This game of constant pursuit, capture, and escape is a trope of fables, fiction, movies, and cartoons. Will one win over the other, or are the combatants locked in a never-ending game where the upper hand is gained, but eventually lost?
After her enemies forced her to abdicate her throne on July 24, 1567, leading to unsuccessful attempt to regain the throne, Queen Mary of Scotland fled to England, seeking the protection of her cousin, Elizabeth I. Perceiving Mary as a threat, Elizabeth confined her in various castles and manor houses in the interior of England.
Queen Mary was a skilled needlewoman and sewed many embroideries while she was under house arrest in England. An important means of expression for Mary, her amazing collection of embroideries featured fantastical beasts, Latin sayings, and hidden meanings.
One embroidery in particular, Mary’s embroidery of a cat, is imbued with hidden meaning. The cat depicted has red fur, a nod to Elizabeth I’s red, Tudor hair. The cat has its paw on the tail of a mouse, stopping it escaping. Is this a reference to the power struggle between these two female monarchs, or to Mary’s imprisonment, where the meek mouse, though under the cat’s foot, is bound to escape?
Cat and Mouse Artist Benefits
- Best of Show: $1,000
- Gold Award: $700
- Silver Award: $500
Purchase awards totaling $2,500 are selected by the City of Decatur for inclusion in its public art collection. Local institutions and universities frequently purchase exhibiting artwork. Purchase awards will be publicly announced on the exhibition website.
The Decatur Arts Festival draws approximately 40,000 people to downtown Decatur for a celebration of the arts that includes a juried Artists Market, Children’s Festival, New Dance, Literary Arts, Performing Arts Stage, and a Concert on the Square, as well as the Fine Arts Exhibition. This large audience represents a broad spectrum of knowledge and appreciation of the arts, and the Fine Arts Exhibition addresses this spectrum with a diversity of styles and media. Works selected for the show reflect a wide range of artists’ experiences and viewpoints, with excellence as a common thread.
About Decatur Arts Alliance
Decatur Arts Alliance (DAA) connects residents, businesses, tourists, and artists to increase arts access and engagement in the city of Decatur, Georgia. Founded in 1989, the nonprofit produces the annual Decatur Arts Festival, numerous city-wide public art programs, community art and music events, and in 2024, launched the “Creative Village” project at Legacy Park that offers affordable artist studios and community workshops for all ages and skill levels.
The DAA provides a collaborative environment to coordinate the interests of artists, gallery owners, theater groups, dance groups, and performance venues within the city, helping to make Decatur home to a strong arts community. The Decatur Arts Alliance is supported by membership and sponsorship, along with proceeds from the Decatur Arts Festival and the Decatur Wine Festival.
For more information, contact amacon@decaturartsalliance.org
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) of the University of Rochester announces a call for artists for the M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival, their largest annual fundraiser and biggest celebration of the arts for over 60 years.
Over 300 artists from across the country offer their work for purchase at this juried, two-day festival that takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery. Clothesline is also the place to experience all-day live entertainment, sample food from some of Rochester’s favorite food trucks and vendors, enjoy free family art activities, and visit the museum.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 1 May 2025
Three M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival artists will receive awards recognizing extraordinary quality, craftsmanship, creativity and/or outstanding presentation. The Memorial Art Gallery requires that all participating Clothesline artists and makers submit original work, either one-of-a-kind or limited-edition. The work must be conceived and designed solely by the artist or maker and show vision, imagination, and originality. Each winner will receive a cash prize of $300. MAG will recognize one first-time exhibitor based on the same criteria who will receive a cash prize of $100.
About Memorial Art Gallery
A visit to the Memorial Art Gallery is a journey through more than 5,000 years of art history. From the relics of antiquity to works in the vanguard of contemporary practice, MAG offers a panorama of the world’s art. The 14-acre campus is a spectacular public art space that is a popular destination for Rochesterians and out-of-town visitors alike.
MAG’s permanent collection of more than 12,000 objects has been called “the best balanced in the state outside of metropolitan New York City.” In addition to its collection, the museum offers a year-round schedule of temporary exhibitions, lectures, concerts, tours, and family activities.
For more information, contact clothesline@mag.rochester.edu
...
[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Toledo Zoo announces a call for artists for Wild About Art, seeking creative artists and skilled makers to take part in a uniquely wild, two-day art fair that takes place throughout Zoo grounds. This event features local and regional artists with various mediums on display and for sale to thousands of Zoo visitors. It includes live entertainment, hands-on art activities, and, of course, animals!
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 25 April 2025
Mediums permitted: ceramics, drawing, painting, glass, jewelry, mixed media, metal working, photography, printmaking/graphics, sculpture, textiles, and wood. Artwork does not have to be animal related.
Artists will set up around the beautiful, historic grounds and animals and be exposed to a diverse audience of animal and art lovers. Wild about Art will be promoted to a huge, loyal membership base of over 76,000 households, as well as over 454,000 Facebook followers. Staff and volunteers assisting with the event are top notch. They bend over backwards to make sure artists feel welcome and taken care of.
Artist Amenities include:
- Free parking and Zoo admission
- Free electricity
- Air-conditioned artist lounge with complimentary beverages and snacks
- Volunteer booth sitters available up to 15 minutes
- Volunteers on hand to assist with set up and tear down
- 24-hour security
- 10,000 Zoo visitors for the weekend
Animals take part in the art fair by creating their own works of art, which is a huge attendance driver for the event.
About The Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo is celebrating their 125 year anniversary. It is home to more than 16,000 animals representing over 680 species. In an effort to save endangered wildlife, they participate in more than 80 Species Survival Plans that ensure healthy, genetically diverse Zoo populations. With historic WPA-era buildings, beautiful gardens, you can travel around the world from the tropics to Greenland, ocean to sky, and desert to rainforest in one Zoo visit.
For more information, contact artfair@toledozoo.org