Call for Artists: "Queer Joy”
In this year’s Pride exhibition, we invite artists to explore the profound and essential theme of queer joy, shifting the narrative from Pride as merely an act of protest to include unapologetic, everyday moments of celebration, tenderness, humor, and community-building. "Queer Joy" is a call to honor the vibrant, resilient joy that queer people experience and create, even in the face of adversity.
While Pride is often seen as a powerful expression of resistance and a demand for equality, it is equally a celebration of the love, happiness, and solidarity that queer people nurture in their lives. This exhibit will highlight how joy itself can be a revolutionary act — a form of resistance that reclaims space for queerness, freedom, and love.
Possible Themes to Explore:
We encourage artists to submit work that explores the many facets of queer joy, including but not limited to:
Tenderness and Intimacy: Works that highlight the quiet, soft moments of connection, whether in love, friendship, or community.
Celebration of Identity and Expression: Art that explores how joy can manifest in self-expression, whether through fashion, art, language, or performance. How do queer people celebrate their identities and bodies?
Humor and Playfulness: Art that conveys the joy of queer humor—whether playful, satirical, or absurd—as a tool for survival and thriving.
Queer Love and Relationships: Depictions of love in its many forms—romantic, platonic, familial—showcasing the celebration of queer relationships that are tender, fierce, and joyful.
Community-building and Chosen Family: Works that explore how queer communities and chosen families come together to support, uplift, and celebrate one another.
Everyday Queer Life: Submissions that portray the beauty and resistance found in the small, often unnoticed moments of queer life—whether a quiet walk, shared laughter, or a reclaimed space.
Mediums Accepted:
We invite submissions in any medium, including but not limited to:
Visual Art (painting, drawing, photography, mixed media)
Sculpture
Video
Textile/Fashion
Submission Guidelines:
Eligibility:
This exhibit is open to all artists, with a particular encouragement for LGBTQIA+ artists to submit.
Art may include tasteful nudity but must be suitable for audiences of all ages to experience.
All art must be show-ready, framed, if applicable (frames must be in show-ready condition, without scratches), and wired (no commercial frame hangers).
Acrylic instead of glass in frames larger than 11x14”.
Submission does not guarantee acceptance.
Special Instructions
- 40% Commission on all work sold. 60% to Artist.
- All submissions must be for sale.
- Submit up to three pieces for consideration.
- Add all info requested in the online submission program about each submission including the works title, dimensions, media and price.
Submission Guidelines:
Entry Fee: $15/entry
Up to 3 entries per artist
Size limitation for 2 dimensional works: 30x40" (any direction)
Important Dates:
Exhibit runs March 1- April 17, 2025
Submission Deadline: February 15, 2025
Acceptance Notices by February 17, 2025
Drop off: February 20, 21 & 22 (Thursday/Friday/Saturday), 1-5pm. Earlier drop off by special arrangement.
Pick up: April 17, 18 & 19 (Thursday/Friday/Saturday), 1-5pm.
Curators
- Studios @ 5663
Important Dates
