About the Open Call

Beneath the surface of water lies an entire universe, constantly flowing, shifting, reflecting, and distorting. Water transforms, shaping the world with quiet grace and immense force, serving as a potent metaphor for emotion, memory, spirituality, and time. AQUATICA invites artists to submit works that explore water as subject, symbol, and environment—revealing its wonder, acknowledging its fragility, and embracing its enigma. This opportunity is open to everyone internationally and accepts all traditional and non-traditional genre and media. There are no size restrictions other than what can fit in the gallery spaces, and no timeframe requirements for when submitted works must have been made. Each participating exhibitor will receive a $50 honorarium, and there are $9,000 in Grand Jury Awards, with $1,000 awarded to one work during each of nine exhibition periods. Selected works will also be documented in a high-quality hard-cover publication (Season Annual).

What is Offered

Each participating exhibitor will receive a $50 cash honorarium. There are $9,000 in Grand Jury Awards, with $1,000 awarded to one work during each of nine exhibition periods. Selected works will be documented in a high-quality hard-cover publication (Season Annual).

Requirements

The opportunity is open to everyone internationally. Entries must be original works that address the broad theme of water as subject, symbol, and environment. All traditional and non-traditional genre and media are accepted. There are no size restrictions other than what can fit in the gallery spaces, and no timeframe requirements for when works must have been made. Digital images must meet specified format (JPEG, no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction, 72 dpi) and file naming conventions, and be uploaded to the project Dropbox. Video/motion/interactive entries require a link to a viewable online copy (without login/password) and a single representative JPEG image. Works must be gallery-ready and exhibit professional-level presentation and craftsmanship. Artists must agree to make their work available for the exhibition and cover all shipping costs to and from the gallery.

How to Apply

Submit the online entry form found at https://www.manifestgallery.org/season22/aquatica/entry/index.html. Digital images/files must be named with artist's last name_first name_entry number (e.g., Jones_Mike_1.jpg) and uploaded to the project Dropbox (a link will be provided after form submission and in the emailed copy of your entry form). Video submissions require a link to a viewable online copy and a single representative jpeg image. The entry fee is $45 for up to three entries, and $5 for each additional entry, payable by U.S. check or via PayPal. All works must be gallery-ready and professionally presented, and artists must agree to make their work available for the exhibition and cover all shipping costs to and from the gallery.