About the Open Call

The hollow of a bowl is formed by its walls. Emptiness shapes, and is shaped by, its container. Interplay between figure and ground, subject and format, “nothing” and “something”, is the crux of composition. A dynamic silence—an anticipatory vacuum—is hungry for parameters: scale and location to give consequence to vastness, rhythm to cut it into units, lines to draw in its edges. When we pay attention to the stillness, we become aware of the quiet within ourselves. When we look into the void, it draws us in. Absence—negative space—becomes a place for us to enter a work and close the circle of communication between artwork and viewer. It is the dark matter of visual art, holding everything together. EX NIHILO is open to everyone internationally. The only limitation is that entries must represent original works which address the broad theme described above. Open to all traditional and non-traditional genre and media. Manifest has no size restrictions on submissions other than what can fit in their spaces, on their walls, and through their door. There are no requirements on timeframe when submitted works must have been made. The exhibition dates are April 17 - May 15, 2026.

What is Offered

Each participating exhibitor will receive a $50 cash honorarium. $9,000 in Grand Jury Awards will be distributed, with $1,000 awarded to one work during each of the nine exhibition periods in Manifest's 22nd season. Exhibiting artists have the option to purchase one copy of the season's Manifest Exhibition Annual (MEA) publication at half price, and solo exhibitors receive a free copy. A 70% commission is retained by the artist on all artwork sales.

Requirements

Entries must represent original works addressing the theme of 'negative space'. Open to 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 restrictions on when works must have been made. Accepted work must arrive ready to install, exhibit good craftsmanship, and not differ significantly from entry images. Submissions require digital images/files, formatted as instructed (e.g., 'Lastname_Firstname_1.jpg', 'Lastname_Firstname_1detail1.jpg'). For video/interactive works, an online viewing link and a representative JPEG image are required. Applicants must agree to make their work available and ship/deliver it if selected.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit via the online entry form provided (linked as 'ENTRY FORM' and 'HERE'). Digital images/files are accepted for consideration and must be uploaded using the Dropbox link provided after entry form submission. This link will also be included on the emailed copy of your entry form. The entry fee must be paid by U.S. check or money order payable to MANIFEST, or by credit card via PayPal (using the link provided after online entry form submission). Video-based or interactive entries require a link to a viewable online copy and a single representative jpeg image uploaded to Dropbox.