About the Open Call

Evolving Freedoms: Exploring Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. How do we define freedom in the 21st century? How has the pursuit of happiness changed in the face of personal, political, and cultural transformation? This thought-provoking exhibition will bring together regional contemporary artists whose work reflects on the ever-shifting meaning of freedom in today's world. Evolving Freedoms invites contemporary artists to submit work that reflects on the shifting landscape of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This exhibition seeks to explore how these foundational ideals are interpreted, challenged, and reimagined through personal experience, social movements, and collective memory. We are looking for photography and print-based works that engage critically, poetically, or personally with themes such as: Identity and self-expression, Civil rights and social justice, Cultural heritage and collective memory, Environmental and economic freedoms, The cost and complexity of liberty, Reimagining happiness in contemporary society. Whether your work celebrates progress, confronts systems of oppression, or envisions new futures, we want to see how your creative voice contributes to the evolving conversation around freedom.

Requirements

Accepting photography and print media only. Up to 10 pieces per artist may be submitted. All work must be original and completed within the past 10 years. Please include a brief artist statement (max 250 words) about how your work relates to the exhibition theme. Chosen artists are responsible for shipping/transporting their art to and from the museum.

How to Apply

Submit your work via the Application Portal by January 30, 2026. Link: https://forms.sju.edu/main/view.php?id=190986