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Open call for artwork for October with a theme of Nocturne & Catawampus

Open-Call for Art:
Nocturne & Catawampus

Arbor Gallery invites artists to submit work for Nocturne & Catawampus, an October exhibition exploring the mysterious, the moonlit, and the beautifully off-kilter.

A nocturne is a work inspired by night, often contemplative, atmospheric, or dreamlike. Catawampus describes something askew, out of alignment, or positioned at an unexpected angle. Together, the words create a space where darkness shifts familiar forms, nature behaves strangely, and the ordinary becomes just a little less certain.

Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly. Work may draw from nighttime landscapes, lunar imagery, shadow, dreams, folklore, transformation, unusual botanical or animal forms, altered perspectives, peculiar figures, hidden rituals, strange domestic scenes, or anything that feels enchanted, unsettled, or delightfully awry.

Submissions may be elegant, eerie, playful, surreal, symbolic, or psychologically charged. Both literal and abstract interpretations are welcome, along with two-dimensional and three-dimensional work in a variety of media. Artists are invited to embrace the witchy, the wild, and the wonderfully catawampus while maintaining a thoughtful fine-art approach.

Important Dates
Submissions Accepted: July 28 through September 20, 2026
Notifications: September 24
Drop-off Dates: October 3 & 4 from 10:00am-2:00pm
Exhibition Dates: October 7 through November 1, 2026 
Pick-up Dates: November 1 from 10:00am-2:00pm

No fee to submit - see submission form for hanging fees, commission and rules. 

Submission Form 

Open-Call Nocturne & Catawampus

PLEASE READ:

ELIGIBILITY AND RESTRICTIONS: Open to all US artists working in most media. Artists from NY’s Hudson Valley and the NY Metropolitan regions are encouraged to submit art. Entries must be created in a still medium: painting, drawing, photography, digital, prints, fiber art, collage, etc. Works must not be larger than 48″ on any side after framing, nor more than 50 lbs in weight. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Open to US residents only.

EXHIBITION:  Selection of artists will be made by Arbor Gallery owner/curator Kelly Edwards. Acceptance will be determined by adherence to theme, compatibility with other works in the exhibition, salability, and price point. Artists chosen to participate will be featured in a group exhibition that will be held exclusively through Arbor Gallery.

EXHIBITION TERMS: All works in the exhibit must be for sale. Arbor Gallery will retain a 30% commission on all sales. Retail sale price is determined by the artist, consultation with the curator is available.

FEES:  Unless otherwise specified, there is not a fee to submit work. Accepted participating artists will be charged a $25 hanging fee for first accepted work and $15 for each additional accepted work due at time of drop-off of artwork.

DIGITAL SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS: Submit up to 3 images below. 

It is important that submission guidelines are followed and that all jpg files be labeled in the following format: Last name_ First initial_ Title_medium_dimension_year.  Artwork files not properly titled may be denied. Naming files in this way ensure that work is attributed to the correct artist and that all of the information is correct. 

Each digital image must be saved in JPEG format, sized at a resolution no larger than 300 dpi. (If selected for the exhibition, you may be requested to submit a higher resolution image.) 

CALENDAR: See individual exhibition details for relevant dates.

DELIVERY OF WORK: If accepted, Arbor Gallery will notify you by the date provided in the Open Call for Art information page. Art is to be delivered Arbor Gallery during the dates and time provided in the Open Call for Art page. All work is to be ready to hang with hanging wire. Arbor Gallery will notify you if and when the art sells and arrangements will be made for delivery/pick up in person or mail within 7 days of closing of the exhibition.

IMAGE USE / COPYRIGHTS:  Artist retains all copyrights to submitted images and represented artwork. Digital images submitted with artist entry are for exhibition selection only and will be deleted after completion of the selection process. If accepted, artist grants Arbor Gallery the rights to use the selected image(s) on promotional materials including print and digital. Arbor Gallery retains no copyrights or usage rights outside of promoting the artists and their work.

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