Current Call for Art

EMERGING 2025 | April 1st – 19th, 2025

EMERGING 2025

April 1st – 19th, 2025

ENTRY DEADLINE: March 28th

WFCA is seeking original works for our annual Emerging exhibit, a free exhibit featuring artists aged 14-22, which will run from April 1st through 19th. Please note this change in timing to coordinate with the WCFA 50th Anniversary year celebrations!  As the world around us continues to rapidly change and evolve, we look to the younger generation to show us the world through their eyes.  

All themes and media will be considered, including work created in school, under the guidance of an instructor, or independently. Painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, digital, animation, video, mixed media – all create genre’s considered!  The show will be juried by a panel of art educators.  In an effort to make the experience of entering an art exhibit as barrier free as possible,  we are waiving all entry fees for this exhibit.  This is a wonderful opportunity for young artists to have their work shown at a gallery for public viewing.

ENTRY FEE: In an effort to make the experience of entering an art exhibit as barrier free as possible, we are waiving all entry fees for this exhibit. This is a wonderful opportunity for young artists to have their work shown at a gallery for public viewing.

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS: 

Works must be original and completed during the last 24 months; works previously exhibited at WCFA will not be accepted. Ideally all artworks will be exhibit-ready (framed and wired, no sawtooth hangers) upon delivery. If you are not able to prepare your work to be hung (i.e. frame and/or wire) please contact us.  We are happy to provide assistance.

PLEASE REVIEW EXHIBIT GUIDELINES ON OUR CALL FOR ART PAGE.

ENTRY FEES: There is no entry fee for this show! Yay, free! 

HOW TO SUBMIT:

Step 1: Complete the registration form on the Call for Art page on the WCFA website. Artists may submit up to three artworks for consideration.

Step 2: Drop off will be on Friday, March 28th between 2:00 – 6:00 pm, at Warwick Center for the Arts. Artists may bring up to 3 pieces of artwork. All artwork must be labeled with your name and artwork title. If you (or someone representing you) are unable to drop off your artwork on this date, please contact our office to make other arrangements.

Also on Friday, March 28th we welcome students the opportunity to share your artwork with WCFA professional artists for a very informal “portfolio review”, which will provide you with valuable feedback. If you would like to participate in this optional, free opportunity, please indicate that on the registration form. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

• ARTWORK DROP OFF/Portfolio Feedback Friday, March 28th between 2:00-6:00 pm 
• NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTED ARTWORK – Saturday, March 29th You will be sent an email indicating which pieces will be included in the show. All participating artists are guaranteed at least one piece of their artwork will be included in the show.
• RECEPTION & AWARDS – Tuesday, April 1st 6:00 pm

AWARDS: 

Two “Excellence Awards” will be presented at the opening reception. The WCFA reserves the right to add additional awards as opportunities become available. Judging will be by WCFA Art Educators.

QUESTIONS:  exhibits@warwickcfa.org | (401) 737-0010

FIFTY Spring Juried Exhibition | April 30th – May 30th, 2025

ENTRY DEADLINE: March 26th

What does fifty mean to you? At the Warwick Center for the Arts, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2025 and we want our community of artists to be a part of it! Artists of all mediums are invited to submit original works that explore the multifaceted concept of 50. From our 50 States to Molly Shannon’s iconic “I’m 50!” sketch on SNL, this theme offers a vast canvas for interpretation. We challenge artists to delve into the significance of this number in various contexts including:

• Historical Significance: Explore historical events, figures, or movements associated with the number 50.
• Personal Reflections: Delve into personal experiences, milestones, or memories connected to the age of 50.
• Cultural and Social Commentary: Address societal issues, cultural norms, or trends related to the number 50.
• Abstract and Conceptual Art: Create works that evoke the essence of the number 50 through abstract forms, colors, and textures.

All media will be considered, including but not limited to painting, drawing, mixed media, digital media, video, ceramics, sculpture, and textiles. Open to all artists ages 16+. Artworks must be original to the artist and previously exhibited works will not be accepted. Work must be wired and prepared for hanging (no sawtooth hangers due to our hanging system). If the work requires a unique display other than a wall hanging or pedestal (such as a video) the artist must contact WCFA staff in advance to ensure that the required technology and resources are available. 

JUROR: Shari Weschler Rubeck (Sumo Bunni)

Shari Weschler Rubeck (Sumo Bunni) is a contemporary artist and curator based in Rhode Island. Her eclectic body of work, which includes painting, printmaking, and photography, encourages viewers to look closely and analyze her figurative and often surreal subject matter. She is known for and has created a brand out of her iconic “bunni” characters, which she highlighted in her 2020 solo exhibition BUNNI 2020 at the Coastal Contemporary Gallery, Newport. In addition to her extensive art practice, Weschler Rubeck is the owner and director of Coastal Contemporary Galleries in Newport (founded 2018) and continues to work at the gallery’s several locations around the Ocean State. 

SUBMISSION DETAILS: 

• Artists can submit artworks beginning on February 5, 2025. 
• The online submission form for “Fifty” can be found on the “call for art” page on our website. Please review the EXHIBIT GUIDELINES ON OUR CALL FOR ART PAGE before applying.
• Artists may submit 1-3 digital images of their artwork in JPG format saved between 72-100 dpi. You will have the opportunity to upload images directly in the Google form. You must label your image files with the name of the artwork ONLY (Eg. Artwork Title_1) – not your name, BEFORE UPLOADING them into the Google form. Please be sure your images are clear, in focus, and well-lit without reflections, background or frame unless it is an integral part of the work. *All work will be judged for inclusion in the exhibit based upon the photos submitted. Sculpture should include at least two views of each piece either as one image or two separate images with uncluttered background
• You may include a short artist’s statement 4-7 sentences on the submission form. 

SUBMISSION FEES: 

Payments can be made by check (payable to WCFA), credit card by phone or online. Submission fees are non-refundable and due at the time of submission. Fee waivers are available if needed simply email the director at director@warwickcfa.org to request one. 

• CURRENT WFCA MEMBERS: $20 for one artwork entry / $35 for 2-3 artworks
• NON-MEMBERS: $25 for one artwork entry / $40 for 2-3 artworks

AWARDS & PRIZES: 

Three “Excellence Awards” will be presented at the opening reception. First Prize $200, Second Prize $150, Third Prize $50, additional non-cash Honorable Mentions will also be presented at the juror’s discretion. The WCFA reserves the right to add additional awards.

ARTWORK SALES: 

All artwork that is available for sale must be labeled with the sales price in a rounded number (ie: $400). Sold artwork will remain on display until the end of the show.  WCFA retains commissions on all artwork sales (30% WCFA Members, 40% Non-Members).

IMPORTANT DATES:

• SUBMISSION FORM OPENS: February 5th
• SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 26th
• NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: April 4th
• ARTWORK DROP OFF: April 23-25th / ARTWORK PICK UP: May 31st
• RECEPTION: Saturday, May 3rd (Special 50th Anniversary Celebration)

Dimensions: Contemporary Fiber Arts | June 21st – August 16th, 2025

ENTRY DEADLINE: April 15th

The Warwick Center for the Arts (WCFA) is pleased to announce our upcoming juried exhibition Dimensions: Contemporary Fiber Arts. Juried by Gabriel Bielawske. Curated by Deborah Siravo.

The scope of textiles/fiber encompasses every aspect of our lives. The focus of this exhibit is to bring together the art and practice of creating fiber/textile objects and provide a vision of the future of textiles.

SUBMISSION FEES:
$30 for 1 artwork submission / $10 each for additional 2nd and 3rd artwork submission. Payments can be made by check (payable to WCFA), credit card by phone or online. Submission fees are non-refundable and due at the time of submission.

AWARDS:
$450 in cash awards:
1st place – $200
2nd place – $150
3rd place – $100
Honorable Mentions (2)

ABOUT THE JUROR:
Gabriel Bielawski is a multidisciplinary artist from Rhode Island, now living in London, who employs new media practices in conjunction with Jewish mystical tradition in order to consider the ways that fictions autonomously enter into, perpetuate through, and reshape reality. He earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2017 and has since been selected for group exhibitions and residencies in New York and Vermont. Most recently, he was awarded a Fulbright grant in installation art which he completed in Poland over the course of 2022 and 2023. During this period, he was a guest lecturer at Jagiellonian University, produced the first solo exhibition of his work in Kraków, and designed a public monument that will soon be installed in his father’s family’s home town, Węgrów.

CURATOR BIO:
Deborah Siravo is a Rhode Island based mixed media artist working with textiles and paper. Deborah earned a BA in Art History and MS in Textile Science from the University of Rhode Island. Deborah’s work reflects the subtle changes and tactile sensations of the natural world. Working in the abstract, she uses familiar shapes, colors, and forms to create a sense of place.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Apply directly to the call on CaFÉ beginning on February 15, 2025.

Artists may submit 1-3 artworks in JPG format saved between 72-100 dpi.
Label image files with the name of the artwork (Eg. Artwork Title_1).
Please remember to ONLY LABEL YOUR IMAGES WITH THE CORRESPONDING TITLE OF YOUR ARTWORK BEFORE UPLOADING THEM.
Please be sure your images are clear, in focus, and well-lit without reflections, background, or frame unless it is an integral part of the work. All work will be judged for inclusion in the exhibit based upon the photos submitted.

IMPORTANT DATES
Submission period opens: February 15, 2025

Submission Deadline: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: Thursday May 9, 2025 via email & on the WCFA website
Artwork Drop off: (In person) Friday, June 13, 11am-5pm and Sat., June 14, 11am-3pm
*Shipping Your Artwork: Shipped artwork must be received by the UPS Store no later than Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Guidelines for shipping/returning artworks will be provided closer to the exhibition date.
Reception: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Artwork Pick Up: Saturday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 20, 2025

ARTWORK SALES: WCFA retains 30% of all artwork sales by members, 40% non members.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We welcome all submissions that explore the beauty and versatility of fiber and textiles as an artistic medium including: crochet, quilt, slow stitch, knitting, Kantha, collage, embroidery, rug hooking, weaving, felting, Sashiko, Boro, Pongee, botanical printing, and basketry.
*Works that include real leather, fur, and/or bones will be excluded.
Works must be original and completed during the last 3 years; previously submitted works will not be accepted. Work done as part of a guided class or workshop is not eligible.
All artwork(s) must be prepared and ready for hanging/display. Works that are hung must be wired (no sawtooth hangers).
*Current WCFA members are eligible for a discounted entry and additional media fee. Please contact exhibits@warwickcfa.org to request a discount code.

Image credit: “Solitude” by Deborah Siravo.