ART NOIR is a new exhibition that will run from April 3 - 26, 2025, produced by The Studio Door. This exhibition delves into the shadowy world of suspense, mystery, and psychological tension, intersecting with pop culture and fine art. ART NOIR draws inspiration from the dramatic aesthetics of Film Noir, the pulpy narratives of Pulp Magazines, and the eerie, mind-bending worlds of early sci-fi TV shows like The Twilight Zone. This exhibition invites artists to explore the themes of ambiguity, tension, and the unknown.

With its foundation in the iconic elements of noir, this exhibition is a celebration of the interplay between light and dark, fear and fascination, reality and imagination. From moody black-and-white palettes to psychologically complex narratives, we encourage artists to submit works that provoke, unsettle, and intrigue. How will you interpret the shadows?

You can review past exhibition catalogs on our website at https://thestudiodoor.com/art-noir.

EXHIBITION DATES

April 3 - 26, 2025
Artwork, including items sold, will remain on exhibit for the duration of the show.

PUBLIC RECEPTION

A public reception is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025 - 6 PM - 9 PM.
Additionally, the gallery will have extended hours on April 3, 2025, for the First Thursday Walk in ART. This after-dark event will immerse visitors in the suspenseful world of ART NOIR, with live music, vendors, and the gallery's signature dark and captivating atmosphere.

JUROR

To be announced.
Past jurors for Studio Door exhibitions have included distinguished curators, artists, and cultural commentators with an interest in suspense, narrative art, and pop culture. This year’s ART NOIR juror will bring expertise in noir-style aesthetics and thematic complexity, ensuring that selected works embody the essence of tension, mystery, and intrigue.

BEST IN SHOW

A Juror’s Award certificate and a check for $100 will be presented to three artists for artworks that best embody the ART NOIR theme. Jurors will value originality, artistic execution, and the ability to evoke narrative and mood through visual elements. Exhibition catalogs will be available online and print-on-demand.

GALLERY & ONLINE GALLERY

There are two opportunities to get into this show. The juror will select works that will be exhibited at The Studio Door gallery in San Diego. Additionally, the juror will select works that will be shown in the online gallery only. This allows for more works to be seen beyond the limitations of the main gallery. You have the option to declare “in gallery,” “online gallery,” or both during the application process. All accepted works, regardless of “in gallery” or “online gallery,” are eligible for Best in Show.

CATALOG

All artwork selected, both gallery and online, will be included in the ART NOIR 2025 national exhibition catalog.

USE OF IMAGERY

If your artwork is selected for this year’s exhibition, Artist grants The Studio Door permission to photograph selected artwork as presented in the gallery. The Studio Door also reserves the right to use art images for marketing and publicity to promote the exhibition without compensation.

ARTWORK PRESENTATION

2-D artwork must arrive 'gallery ready' and 'ready to hang' and be presented professionally.
Preferably, framed artwork should be in black wood or natural wood frame.
Important: Due to shipping challenges, 2-D artwork cannot be framed in glass—plexi only. Additionally, glass and ceramic pieces will only be accepted if they are hand-delivered and picked up by the artist.

CAFÉ ™ SUBMISSION PROCESS

All submissions for this show are handled through CAFÉ ™ (Callforentry.org). Artists are required to sign up and create a profile on CAFÉ ™. There is no charge for using this service.

IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS

CAFÉ ™ provides 5 MB for the artist profile. Image may be 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side. Anything larger will be resized. Image may be JPG or JPEG only. Artist will upload images and information directly to their profile and reference when filling out the official call for submission.

If you have problems uploading images, contact CAFÉ ™ directly. FYI, the most common problem is that the system will not accept images that are too small.

NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS

Artists will be notified by March 5, 2025. All artists who have submitted artwork will be notified by email. You may receive multiple notifications for acceptance into The Studio Door exhibition and online gallery. You will receive notification even if no artwork has been selected. If you do not receive notice by March 7, 2025, please check your email spam folder and contact The Studio Door.

SHIPPING OF ARTWORK

All shipped artwork must be received no later than Friday, March 28, 2025. Unsold artwork will be shipped out of The Studio Door on April 30, 2025. 2-D work must be sent in reusable packaging with NO styrofoam packing peanuts. Fragile works must be double-boxed and sufficiently padded to prevent damage in transit. The Studio Door is NOT responsible for damage caused in transit. Artists are responsible for the cost of shipping and arranging prepaid shipping labels with either UPS or FedEx. It is mandatory to include prepaid shipping labels with your artwork or to make the necessary arrangements with The Studio Door before the exhibition, or your work will not be exhibited.

HAND-DELIVERY OF ARTWORK

During weekend gallery hours on Saturday, March 29, 2025 (11 AM – 5 PM) or by earlier appointment. Large works or small installations should be scheduled as to not interfere with other exhibitions.
If your artwork is accepted for the online gallery ONLY, you do NOT need to deliver your artwork.

PICK-UP OF ARTWORK

Artwork may be picked up Saturday, April 26, 2025, during gallery hours at the end of the day (4 - 5 PM) or Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (11 AM - 5 PM).
Artwork left behind may be subject to a late fee of $50 per day and/or discarded by The Studio Door.

SALES OF ART

50% of the sale will go to the artist and 50% of the sale will go to The Studio Door. Items sold must remain on exhibit for the duration of the show. The Studio Door will mail a check to the artist for any sold artwork within 30 days after the close of the show.

PRICING CONSIDERATION

Artists are encouraged to consider price points when they apply for The Studio Door exhibitions. Based on past experience, art sales in Southern California remain strongest under $2,500, with $500 being the average first-time patron purchase. Artists should also consider that participating in ART NOIR offers exposure and networking opportunities beyond immediate sales. The Studio Door encourages artists to document participation, create reels, send press releases, and use this opportunity to further their own marketing goals.

SUSTAINABILITY NOTE

Artists are encouraged to use sustainable, eco-friendly packaging materials when shipping artwork. Reducing environmental impact is a shared priority in today’s art community.

QUESTIONS?

Email: forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com
If you would like to support this exhibition with a donation or fund an award, please contact The Studio Door. Please help get the word out about the show by encouraging your fellow artists to enter.
Visit THE STUDIO DOOR @ www.TheStudioDoor.com

IMPORTANT DATES (SUMMARY)

• 11/01/24– Call for Artists opens
• 02/28/25 – Call for Artists closes
• 03/05/25 – Artists notified of selection
• 03/28/25 – Final receive date for shipping
• 03/29/25 – Drop Off Artwork (local): 11 AM - 5 PM
• 04/03/25 – Exhibition opens
• 04/03/25 – Extended Hours First Thursdays Walk in Art until 9 PM
• 04/12/25 – Public Reception: 6 PM – 9 PM
• 04/26/25 – Show closes
• 04/26/25 – Artwork Pick Up Date I: 4 PM - 5 PM
• 04/29/25 – Artwork Pick Up Date II: 11 AM - 5 PM
• 04/30/25 – Artwork Shipping Date
• 05/26/25 – Artist Commission Checks Deadline

QUESTIONS?

Email: forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com

If you would like to support this exhibition with a donation, or fund an award, please contact The Studio Door.  Please help get the word out about the show by encouraging your fellow artists to enter.

Visit THE STUDIO DOOR @ www.TheStudioDoor.com

Application Requirements

NON-REFUNDABLE ENTRY FEE
An entry consists of one to three submissions of images. Payment of $35 per initial entry and $5 for each additional media submission.
[1 work of art = $35; 2 works = $40; or 3 works = $45]. Payments are processed through CAFÉ ™.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

February 28, 2025 - 10:59 PM PST
Complete information, including images of artwork, must be submitted online with CAFÉ ™ before 10:59 PM PST to be considered by juror (Check your watch, that’s 1:59 AM EST and 11:59 PM MST).

ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE

• 2-Dimensional Work: Height 7.5 feet, Width 4 feet - including frame
• 3-Dimensional Work: Sculptural and small installation work is encouraged. Works must be able to fit through an average doorway and not exceed 8’ in height. If you are unsure if your work is size acceptable, please contact The Studio Door at forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility: Visual Artists
Note: ART NOIR is conceived as a national show (USA). Due to the costs of shipping and potential customs issues, international artists are welcome to participate exclusively in the online portion of the exhibition. Sales will be handled through The Studio Door, who will work with artists to determine the cost of shipping. Those costs will be paid for by the patron.

Categories Accepted: Fine Art: Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, artist book, and sculpture. Please note some restrictions apply to glass, stained glass, ceramics, and stoneware due to unsafe shipping practices by FedEx, UPS, and USPS. Oversized jewelry that can be defined as fine art is acceptable for this show.

This exhibition does not accept performance art.
Video, film, installation, and works requiring an external electrical source require gallery approval. If you want to be considered, please contact The Studio Door at forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com before submitting to this call for artists. Submissions must be the artist’s original work, and all artwork must be available for sale.