Spring National Juried Show 2026: Shaped by Water
Juror: Chris Quidley, Director, Quidley & Company
About the Theme:
The theme of this exhibition is ‘Shaped by Water‘. Water is a powerful force – simultaneously creative and destructive – constant yet ever-changing. From oceans and rivers and rain to memory, emotion and movement, water shapes our physical landscapes and inner worlds alike. This exhibition seeks contemporary interpretations that explore how water influences form, environment, identity and experience. Artists are encouraged to submit work that reflects the theme broadly and imaginatively. Submissions may address literal, symbolic, environmental or abstract relationships to water.
Exhibition Dates: March 19 – April 25
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, February 25, end-of-day
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 19: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Submit your art work using the SmarterEntry link below. Make sure to select the ‘Shaped by Water’ exhibition, not the Arts Festival Craft Exhibition:
All Works Must Be For Sale
South Shore Art Center receives 40% of the purchase price. Please submit only works that will be available at the time of the exhibition and will remain for its entirety. Work must have been created within the past three years. No accepted entry may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibition. No pricing changes will be allowed after acceptance. Living artists only. Work that is copied or done under the guidance of an instructor is not eligible. Entries must not have been previously exhibited at SSAC or the SSAC Arts Festival. If the work does not fully reflect what is represented on submitted image, SSAC reserves the right to eliminate if from the exhibition.
Specifications
Two-dimensional work must be professionally presented and firmly wired. No sawtooth hangers, no sandwich frames. 3-D work should include a sturdy pedestal. SSAC will not be responsible for any damages incurred during shipment to our facility or any that arises due to faulty framing.
JPEG SIZING:
Image size for entry on Smarter Entry: Images should be at least 1280 pixels in the longest dimension at 72 ppi, file size not to exceed 2 MB. It is in your best interest to submit high quality images.
Fees:
$30 for 3 images. $10 for each additional image – up to six total images.
Specifications:
Two -dimensional work must be professionally presented and firmly wired. No sawtooth hangers, no sandwich frames. 3-D work should include a sturdy pedestal. SSAC will not be responsible to any damage incurred during shipment to our facility or any that arise due to faulty framing.
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, February 25, end-of-day.
Notification:
All submitting artists will receive a group email with a list of accepted works by March 3, end-of-day. Please ensure that you check the email address you use for registering with SmarterEntry, we will be using that email.
Delivery of Accepted Artwork:
Shipping, return shipping and handling fee for shipped work are the responsibility of the artist. Hand delivered work drop off: Thursday, March 12 – Saturday, March 14, plus Monday, March 16: 10 am – 4 pm. No Sunday Deliveries or Drop-Offs.
Pick Up / Return Delivery of Artwork:
Hand delivered works may be picked up Monday, April 27 – Thursday, April 30: 10 am – 4 pm. SSAC will shipped returned work by May 16, 2026.
Liability:
I understand that South Shore Art Center will insure work accepted to the extent of 60% of the artist’s stated value while to work is in the Art Center’s custody and control.
Agreement:
Submission to the Gallery Artist Showcase constitutes an agreement with all conditions of this show. South Shore Art Center reserves the right to photograph or use a submitted image for publicity purposes. South Shore Art Center reserves the right to reject any work not resembling the submitted entry or work that is not ready to be shown according to the aforementioned speciifcations.
Prizes:
First Prize: $ 500
Second Prize: $ 300
Third Prize: $ 200
Awards of Merit (3)
