This is a call to artists who are members of OMA Artist Alliance to submit entries for Elemental: Artist Alliance at Sparks Gallery, an exhibition to take place at Sparks Gallery in downtown San Diego. Artwork will be juried and the exhibition layout designed solely by Sonya Sparks, gallery owner and curator.

This exhibition is not strictly themed, but artists are encouraged to submit abstract or figurative work that explores the vibrancy and vitality of the core elements—earth, air, fire, and water—that shape the world around us. The exhibition aims to evoke the raw, powerful essence of these elements, revealing their interconnectedness with life and the environment. The elemental theme highlights how these fundamental components permeate our daily existence, inspire creativity, and foster growth, yet also have the capacity for destruction and transformation.

The juror will select work that they feel creates the strongest exhibition when considering all works in context with the other submitted works, and may not necessarily select work based on its adherence to the exhibition title. The juror's selections are subjective. It is not always possible to include every excellent and worthy artwork submitted.

ENTRY FEE: $20 for first submission, $10 for each thereafter. 

Scholarships are available, please contact katie@oma-online.org if you would like to be considered for a scholarship.

Thank you for being a part of OMA. Your submission fees (less CAfÉ listing fees) and membership dues go toward supporting the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming.

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TIMELINE:

• Deadline to submit: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 10:59PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) 
• Notifications of selected artworks: On or before Thursday, March 27, 2025
• Art Drop Off at Sparks Gallery: April 17–April 21, 2025 11:00–3:00pm
  • Artwork under 60" may also be shipped to arrive at Oceanside Museum of Art before April 16, 2025. Please contact katie@oma-online.org if you plan to ship your artwork.
• Exhibition on view to public: May 2–June 30, 2025
• Public reception: Saturday, May 17, 5:00-7:00pm 
• Artwork Pickup: July 10–July 12, 2025 11:00–3:00pm

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All technical submission issues will be handled by CaFÉ technical support. Contact them here. 

Find answers to most common technical questions on the Help page. 

CaFÉ is an all-in-one artist submission platform designed for the arts field that is not owned by or affiliated with Oceanside Museum of Art.

Contact katie@oma-online.org with questions about this artwork submission opportunity after carefully reading the prospectus in full.

Application Requirements

Media

• All submissions must be original works of art. No giclees or other reproductions of original works, with exception of limited edition prints in traditional printmaking media, limited edition digital art prints, and/or photography
• Artwork depicting nudity will not be included in this exhibition
• Artwork may be in any style
• A maximum of two artworks per artist will be selected
• Artwork requiring special or unusual lighting, electricity, or unusual methods of installation cannot be accommodated

Size

• 2D artwork maximum dimensions: 60” high x 60” wide.
• 3D artwork maximum dimensions: Must be able to fit through a double-door entrance 90" H x 69" wide.

Frames & Hanging Hardware

• Works on paper must be framed. Frames must be simple and neutral. Edges of unframed two-dimensional artwork must be finished or gallery wrapped.
• If work is gallery wrapped no frame is needed.
• Cables and/or D rings are mandatory.
• The artworks must be able to be hung on a cable.
• Artworks with cleats of any kind will not be accepted and a piece with only cleats may be excluded from the show if alterations are not able to be made after drop off.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists must be a current OMA member with the Artist Alliance affiliate membership add-on. Artists who are not members of the OMA with the Artist Alliance add-on but are interested in participating in this exhibition must become members of OMA at any level and add Artist Alliance before submitting artwork for consideration.

OMA Artist Alliance can be joined by one of the following methods: 

• Online: Visit oma-online.org/membership. Choose any level of membership and then add Artist Alliance
• By phone: Call the OMA membership center at (760) 435-3724
• In person: Visit Oceanside Museum of Art at 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside CA (please check www.oma-online.org for public hours)