Artist of the Summer

About the Open Call

The Artist of the Summer juried art exhibition encourages artists 18 and older to submit work in any medium, style, and genre, including all traditional art media (e.g., oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, gouache, egg tempera, pen and ink; drawing media such as graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, scratch board, markers, metal point), digital painting, and arts and crafts (e.g., beadwork, pottery, embroidery, floristry, batik, stained glass, two-dimensional collage and fabric art). Please note that AI-generated, profane, or political artwork is not accepted. Each participant in the exhibition receives a personal page on the UPWARD gallery website, which displays their submitted works, a short biography, artist statement, and links to their website and social media accounts. Winners are announced on September 8, 2025.

What is Offered

Winners will be interviewed by the UPWARD Gallery editors for publication in the quarterly printed edition UPWARD’s Quarterly and on the website in the Interviews section. All entrants will receive digital certificates based on the exhibition results, with winners receiving certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Additionally, deserving works will be recognized with digital certificates for Merit Awards, Honorable Mention Awards, and Finalist. Selected works (1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and Merit Award) will be presented in the quarterly printed edition UPWARD’s Quarterly, as well as in the curated galleries on the UPWARD site in the Discover section. The authors of these selected works will also receive Social Media Promotion.

Requirements

Artists must be 18 years or older to submit their work. Acceptable mediums include all traditional art media, digital painting, and crafts. Submissions must not include AI-generated, profane, or political artwork.

How to Apply

Artists are encouraged to submit their work through the UPWARD gallery platform as per the official rules and guidelines.