About the Open Call

Exhibit with Life Force. Life Force has presented 41 shows since we opened in 2008. Life Force shows are multidisciplinary artistic projects that currently run @ 18 months and are based on themes related to the Life Force Wisdom Wheel. Each show includes a visual art exhibit, and several Healing Arts Intensives, which are 6 week group healing processes through observing and creating the arts. They include Shamanic Theater performances, and our monthly Art Meditation Night, a time for contemplation of the artworks in the show. Through our shows, Life Force has presented the work of over 175 visual artists in our exhibits as well as the professional performers of Life Force Arts Ensemble. The exhibits feature beautiful and energetically powerful artwork of all styles and media. The artwork creates a sacred space for transformation through the performances and workshops that are held in conjunction with the theme of the show. If you are interested in exhibiting with us, please CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE CALLS FOR ARTISTS. Be sure to check the box “Call for Artists” under “Which publications would you like to receive?” Pay $25 Art Submission fee here. Download the Art Submission Form. Our Current Call for Artists: Call for Artists Songs of the 4 Communities a multiarts show about the 4 Communities we all belong to: Self, Society, Nature & Spirit. Deadline for submissions: Monday, December 29, 2025. Art exhibit runs January 30, 2026 – July 2, 2027. Join in the Songs of the 4 Communities you belong to – Self, Society, Nature and Spirit – as Life Force Shamanic Arts & Healing presents the multidisciplinary shamanic spiritual arts show Songs of the 4 Communities running January 30, 2026 – July 2, 2027 at Life Force Shamanic Arts & Healing, 1609 W. Belmont, Chicago IL 60657. Opening Reception is Friday, January 30, 2026 from 7:30 – 9:30 PM. The exhibit features a wide variety of media including painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media and installation. Exhibit hours are during events at Life Force Shamanic Arts & Healing and by appointment. Admission is free to the exhibit and Opening Reception. Several Healing Arts Intensives, which are six-week group shamanic healing processes through the arts, will be presented as part of the show. For more information, please contact Joan Forest Mage, Artistic Director, 773-327-7224, joan@LifeForceArts.org. Life Force Shamanic Arts & Healing helps you live from your soul through a modern shamanic practice rooted in the arts. Based in the Life Force Wisdom Wheel developed by Life Force Founder& Director Joan Forest Mage, we offer Life Force Shamanic Training, Healing Arts Intensives and Individual Shamanic Healing Sessions. Commune with your soul and Divine Spirit in the sacred space of our art exhibits, where our Shamanic Theater performances catalyze your personal breakthroughs with the spiritual power of the arts. How to send an Art Submission. Life Force Shows run approximately 18 months and are based on a concept/component from the Life Force Wisdom Wheel. Life Force Shows include a juried art exhibit and Healing Arts Intensives: each Intensive is a 6 week group process of shamanic healing through observing & creating the visual and performing arts. The art exhibits feature beautiful and energetically powerful artwork of all styles and media. The artwork creates a sacred space for performances and workshops that the Ensemble creates in conjunction with the theme of the show. We work on the model of an art museum that offers exhibits with artistic and educational programs. Your artwork will be highlighted in the publicity for our performances Art Meditation Nights and Healing Arts Intensives throughout the 18 month run of the exhibit. IMPORTANT: Please note that Songs of the 4 Communities is an exhibit that runs 18 months, from January 30, 2026 – July 2, 2027. Any artwork accepted for the exhibit is expected to remain on display in the exhibit for the entire run of the exhibit, even if it is sold before the exhibit ends. Please see more details about financial arrangements at the end of this document. Please read the requirements carefully, and then send us an art submission by email. Art Submission requirements: Art Submission Form (Click here to download the Art Submission Form). Photos of your work (up to 5 different pieces) that you would like us to consider putting in the show. Art may include 2- or 3-dimensional prints, paintings, photography, digital, sculpture, mixed media, installation art and more. Please send as jpg images (max 500 x 500 pixels per image). Please put images in the same email as the submission form if possible. We only consider completed artwork for the show. An Essay for each artwork you are submitting suitable for inclusion in the show’s Exhibit Catalog explaining how it relates to the theme of the exhibit. Please write an essay for EACH ARTWORK YOU ARE SUBMITTING. Your resume (if this is the first time you are sending us a submission). Your bio: 1 – 3 paragraphs about yourself as an artist, suitable for inclusion in the bio section of the show’s Exhibit Catalog. Your $25 art submission fee. Click here to pay $25 Art Submission fee online or call 773-327-7224 to make other payment arrangements. Please send your art submission to artsubmissions@lifeforcearts.org. Deadline for submissions: Monday, December 29, 2025. To understand more about the Life Force Wisdom Wheel, please read Joan Forest Mage’s article. Art Submission Guidelines. Overview of the 4 Communities. The Life Force Wisdom Wheel says that all of us belong to 4 Communities: Self, Society, Nature and Spirit. Each of these has its own unique energy or voice, a song that we are, consciously or unconsciously, always listening to, learning from and participating in. When you are able to hear and sing the Songs of the 4 Communities, you can harmonize with the physical and spiritual universe. Even though we are talking about four types of communities, there is a common theme: what makes a community a community? What helps a community function well, whether that is within oneself, with your fellow humans, with Nature or with Spirit? Ultimately, community is based in the energy flow within a community, the energy flow that unites it. The community as a whole is a macrocosm and the individuals within the community are microcosms, and but are also communities within themselves. The “Songs” are the voices of each community. Can you tell when you are truly listening to your own inner voice? When you become aware of other people and hear the voice of Society? When you are aware of yourself as part of the Song that Nature is always singing? When you are hearing the Song of Spirit? We’re asking you, the potential artists of the exhibit, to create visual representations of the Songs of the 4 Communities so the viewers who see the show can be uplifted by this concept. We hope the prompts below inspire your creativity. You may find that you are already working with some of the concepts and already have artwork about them, that’s great! Prompts: what type of artwork we’re looking for. Here is information about the 4 Communities of the Life Force Wisdom Wheel, including prompts that can guide you to create images. Artwork for this exhibit can depict one or more of the 4 Communities, or show how each person is part of all 4 Communities. Self – Sing the song of yourself, your passion and vision. Even though you are seemingly an individual, you also are a Community. You are composed of a body, mind, soul, emotions, and many other components. On a physical level, your body has 30 trillion cells, all of them communicating and interacting with each other, singing harmoniously. You are a Community, and you are hosting communities. You have billions of fully formed microscopic animals that live on you, and if you asked them where they live, they would say, “I live on the planet [insert your own name].” In addition, you have the genetic material of thousands of generations, the language of the culture you were born into, and many other examples of things that are part of “you” but have actually been passed on to you from others. Prompts for Community of Self: What is your soul’s mission? What is your passion and vision? How do all parts of you contribute to that mission? Draw the different communities that form you, such as the trillions of cells that form your body, the billions of microorganisms that you host as their “planet”, the coordination of parts of your body, such as heart and lungs. What is your own song, the song of your Self? Society – You are a part of a human community. That may be your family, school, workplace, religious group, ethnic group, town and groups in public places. In this community, we experience what is self and other. Keywords are “leading and following”. We learn how to learn by listening and imitating, and by allowing others to see us and learn from us. We discover boundaries. We learn to work appropriately with our capability for empathy. We learn about goals: how to come together to accomplish goals, how to work as a team towards a common goal. We learn about emotions and rules of conduct that allow a group to work harmoniously together. We learn that different groups of people have different rules. Prompts for Community of Society: What group of people have you belonged to that is an example of the best of Human Society? For example, that worked together harmoniously, that took care of each other, that accomplished its goals? Do you usually lead a group or do you follow and support someone else? What is the energy (consciousness) a person uses to actively listen to (mirror) another person? What is the energy in a group when each person feels comfortable speaking their truth? What song do you hear Society sing? Nature – By Nature, we mean all plants, animals, all life forms and ecosystems. We ARE part of nature. Everything about me is part of nature. As a song goes, “Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit.” We are formed by the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the fire of the sun that warms us and grows all living beings. Ultimately, our bodies return to nature when we die. As we become conscious of the more-than-human world, we realize that we are just a small part of a larger being that is Nature. The body is the part of nature that’s always with you. You don’t have to go outside to be in Nature. You, yourself, are part of nature, wherever you are. Ancient peoples did not think of humans as the only sentient beings. Most peoples, especially indigenous cultures, speak of the Web of Life in which everything is included. Animals, plants, oceans and people are all equal parts of this Web. The plants, the mountains, rivers, lakes, caves, the very spirit of the land, were viewed as living, sentient partners in the life of the human community. The healers and elders of the tribe would communicate with this more-than-human world to negotiate harmonious living arrangements. Through reviving this sensibility and priority, we as modern people will be able to live in cooperation with nature in a clean, safe, abundant and harmonious environment. Prompts for Community of Nature: See yourself as a cell in the body of nature. What is the energetic connection you feel with other beings around you? Is there a particular part of Nature that you personally relate to: do you feel like a certain animal or plant? Do animals or plants communicate with you? What is your favorite ecosystem (community of plants and animals) you have ever experienced? This could be a forest preserve, a beach, a street you walk down, your backyard, etc. What song do you hear Nature sing? Spirit – Spirit is energy, the great Cosmic Soup of everything and everyone that ever lived, anywhere in the Universe. How is each one of us part of that? We can think 3 Levels of Spirit: Human Spirit – As humans, we have a spirit that carries us through life. What are your foundational principles and values? What are the virtues you ascribe to that helps you overcome problems in life? Universal Energy – concepts such as auras, chakras, meridians; energy practices like Reiki, acupuncture and yoga; and how color, line, tone, vibration, symbols and other aspects of art affect energy. Myth, Religion and Mystical Experience – Otherworldly encounters with Source, God, Goddess, ancestors, spirit guides, etc. Having a relationship and communing with the Transcendent. Mythology and codified belief systems. Michael Harner says, “A spirit is anything you see with your eyes closed”. People throughout all cultures and history have described experiencing the help of spiritual beings such as angels, ancestors, totem animals, gods, goddesses, fairies, elves, plant people, crystal people. These entities can be thought of as being part of the creation or Creator, just as we humans in physical bodies are. They help us do important work in daily life. Just as we can gather to ourselves helpers and friends in physical form, so the universe provides us spiritual helpers. As Carolyn Casey says, “The Universe is user-friendly; operators waiting to take your call.“ Prompts for Community of Spirit: In a human community you are part of, how do you inspire the next generation to carry on its spirit? Are you part of a spiritual community? How does your community work with Spirit? Do you communicate with people who have crossed over? Do you communicate with spiritual beings such as angels, ancestors, totem animals, gods, goddesses, fairies? Do you work with a team of spirit guides? What is the Song of Spirit that you hear? Essay about your artwork. In the essay(s), please tell us how each of your artworks relates to concept of this exhibit, The Songs of the 4 Communities of the Life Force Wisdom Wheel: Self, Society, Nature & Spirit. At Life Force, we work with energy and beings of the Light, and look for artwork that inspires and uplifts viewers. Our policy is that if artwork has a cathartic element and helps viewers face the shadow side, it must also have the alchemy to integrate what has been purged into a new, whole, positive form. Important Dates: Deadline for submissions: Monday, December 29, 2025. Artists will be notified about acceptance of their submissions by Wednesday, December 31, 2025. If your artwork is accepted, please contact Joan at artsubmissions@lifeforcearts.org or 773-327-7224 to arrange a time to deliver your ready-to-display artwork to Life Force Shamanic Arts & Healing, 1609 W. Belmont, Chicago 60657. Artwork may be delivered, by appointment only. Please call Joan at 773-327-7224 to make arrangements for delivery. ALL ARTWORK MUST BE DELIVERED TO LIFE FORCE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026. Installation of the show will take place Thursday, January 15 and Sunday, January 18 from 3 – 8 PM each day. Artist be present to install their art. Opening Reception is Friday, January 30, 2026 from 7:30 – 9:30 PM. The show will run from January 30, 2026 – July 2, 2027. Closing Day is Thursday, July 2, 2027. Art that is not sold may be picked up, by appointment only, after July 2, 2027 (please contact artsubmissions@lifeforcearts.org or 773-327-7224 to schedule a time to pick up your artwork). IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR ARTWORK BEING READY TO DISPLAY. If your art is accepted, you are responsible for delivering the art to Life Force properly wrapped and protected. You are responsible for delivering it ready-to-display. “Ready to display” can be achieved in various ways, depending on the type of artwork. Ready to display MAY include, but is not limited to, the following: gallery wrapped on stretcher bars, external frame, hanging from a dowel, which has a wire on it, adhesive onto foamboard, which has a hook and/or wire on the back, wooden or metal stands for 3 dimensional artwork, many other methods of display, depending on the type of artwork. Note: we don’t pin artwork directly to the wall. If the artwork is supposed to hang on the wall, PLEASE HAVE A WIRE OR HOOK ON THE BACK OF THE ARTWORK so it can easily be put on the wall. If the artwork has a wire to hang it, please make sure the wire is tight and is securely fastened to hooks on each side of the artwork. The wire should not show above the artwork when it is hung on the wall. Do NOT use tape to attach a wire or string to the back of a frame. If you are using a frame, the frame must fit the artwork: if the artwork is smaller than the frame, please mat the artwork so it fits the frame. If you have several similar pieces to be displayed together, please put them in frames that match each other. Please fill out this submission form and attach to your submission: Click here to download the Art Submission Form. The art submission fee is $25 and may be paid by credit card by clicking here, Zelle at our Zelle address 773-327-7224, contacting us at 773-327-7224. Financial information: Artwork is sold by Life Force on a consignment basis. There will be a 80% – 20% split of the retail price for sales of art; the artist will receive 80% and Life Force will receive 20% of the retail price. IMPORTANT : Please note that this exhibit runs 18 months, from January 30, 2026 – July 2, 2027 Any artwork accepted for the exhibit is expected to remain on display in the exhibit for the entire run of the exhibit, even if it is sold before the exhibit ends. Artists are paid by Life Force at the time of the sale of their artwork, whenever that might occur during the 18 month run of the exhibit. Life Force will pay the artist their consignment fee within one week of the time Life Force is paid by the purchaser. In order to buy the artwork, the purchaser must agree to sign a contract to loan the artwork to Life Force for the remaining duration of the exhibit. That contract is between the purchaser and Life Force. Unsold art: The artist agrees to pick up unsold art at the end of the show, or make arrangements and pay for shipping. If artwork is shipped, Artist is responsible for all shipping costs of sending it to Life Force and/or returning unsold artwork to Artist. We look forward to your submission. If you have any questions, please contact: Joan Forest Mage, Founder & Director, (773) 327-7224, artsubmissions@LifeForceArts.org

What is Offered

Opportunity to exhibit artwork in a multidisciplinary shamanic spiritual arts show for 18 months, with artwork highlighted in publicity for performances, Art Meditation Nights, and Healing Arts Intensives. Potential for art sales on an 80/20 consignment split (artist receives 80%).

Requirements

Artwork must be completed. Accepted artwork is expected to remain on display for the entire 18-month exhibit run (January 30, 2026 – July 2, 2027), even if sold. Artists are responsible for delivering ready-to-display artwork (properly wrapped and protected, with appropriate hanging mechanisms like wire or hook for wall-hanging pieces), and for picking up unsold art or arranging and paying for shipping after July 2, 2027. If artwork is sold, the purchaser must agree to a loan contract with Life Force for the duration of the exhibit.

How to Apply

Interested artists must submit an Art Submission Form, up to 5 photos of completed artwork (jpg, max 500x500 pixels), an essay for each artwork relating to the theme, a resume (if first-time submission), a 1-3 paragraph artist bio, and pay a $25 submission fee. Submissions should be sent to artsubmissions@lifeforcearts.org. The fee can be paid via credit card, Zelle (773-327-7224), or by calling 773-327-7224 for other arrangements.