Founders Art Gallery at Soka University of America invites submissions from artists in Southern California who work within 2D and 3D visual media for a group exhibition. This show is centered around and informed by the healing nature of intergenerational connection, community, and the power of visual storytelling. Artists aged 18 and older are encouraged to submit artworks in any medium for consideration. All submissions are due April 15, 2025.  

A group exhibition featuring the works of an intergenerational group of artists from Southern California. Inspired by conversations with their grandmothers, curators and recent Soka University of America graduates Frances DePhillips and Shayla Rose-Brown are shaping an exhibition of works that seek to inspire ongoing conversations among artists of all ages. 

Have you ever heard of the story “Stone Soup?”

Stone Soup is the story of community contribution in the name of collective nourishment; each community member contributes one ingredient to a pot with a magic soup stone, and miraculously, a delicious stew appears. The Stone Soup story is not just about food, it’s about the alchemy of connection.

This show is intended to be an array of unique voices, a place for people of all ages to contribute their distinctive “ingredient” to the show, to create connection and collective nourishment. We want people of all ages to come together and help feed the hearts and souls of Orange County. Whether you have been making art for 80 years, or eight years, we want to see what you are inspired to create within the themes of intergenerational connection, community, and the power of storytelling.

Why?
Connection between generations is at the foundation of societies. Often, within the modern materialist paradigm, we forget the importance and magic of connecting with those of other ages due to the lack of third spaces in which those relationships are prioritized. The underpinnings of this exhibition were derived from a desire for community, connectivity, and exchanges between people that often lack the space in which to interact. 

Through a wide array of artistic practices, this exhibition seeks to explore the transcendent aspects of humanism throughout different times of life–all that binds us together as one. Utilizing art as a medium for connection, Stone Soup will serve as a point of departure to spark conversations and further connections between people of all ages. 

Thematic Guidelines

Artists should explore intergenerational connection, community, and the power of storytelling. Suggested themes include:

Intergenerational Connection - How have older family or community members shaped you? Perhaps it’s memories of a grandparent’s home, filled with warmth and tradition, or the quiet lessons imparted by someone with a lifetime of experience.

​​The Passage of Time - Show the beauty and challenges of aging, from the resilience of the human spirit to the changes that come with time.

Memories - Delve into the role of memory in shaping identity, from childhood nostalgia to the impact of memory loss. How do memories—both joyful and bittersweet—connect us across generations?

The Warmth of Gathering - Highlight the magic of coming together, whether at a family table, a community celebration, or an everyday act of sharing.

Resilience in Togetherness - Show how communities, like the villagers in Stone Soup, create strength and nourishment through collective effort.

Storytelling -  Storytelling is the thread that binds us, passing knowledge, emotion, and identity through time:

• Heritage and Folklore: How do the stories of ancestors live on through art, rituals, or cultural practices?
• Empathy and Connection: Use your art to evoke the universal emotions and lessons that stories can teach.

Childhood - We invite you to submit works inspired by childhood–your own, the childhood of a loved one, or the concept itself.

Future - Look forward into the imagined future and explore feelings about aging, and the possibilities within the unknown. 

Abstract Representations

We are open to abstract or alternative forms of exploration regarding these themes.

Exhibition Details

Where will the exhibition take place?
The exhibition will be held in Founders Hall Gallery at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California.

What are the exhibition dates?
September 18, 2025 - January 8, 2026

What happens to my artwork after the exhibition?
Artists are responsible for both dropping off their artwork before the exhibition begins and picking up their artwork at the end of the exhibition.

Will there be an opening reception or artist meet-and-greet?
There will be an opening reception on September 18, 2025. Details about the reception or other artist events will be shared closer to the exhibition dates.

About Soka University of America

Soka University of America is a private, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school in Aliso Viejo, California. SUA’s mission is to educate global citizens who contribute to a better world. Founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights, and the dignity of life, SUA offers a nonsectarian curriculum open to students of all nationalities and beliefs. The university’s commitment to fostering global citizenship is reflected in its mandatory foreign language and study abroad programs, its interdisciplinary core curriculum, and its diverse student body, with 50% of students hailing from international backgrounds. SUA offers a 7:1 student to faculty ratio and an average class size of 12. 
 

Application Requirements

Call Type: Exhibition
Eligibility: Southern California 
State: California
Entry Deadline: April 15, 2025
Event Dates: September 18,  2025- January 8, 2026 

What should I include with my submission?
Artists should include images of their work (JPEG 300 dpi), an artist statement, a brief description of how their work aligns with the exhibition's themes, and a preferred email.
 

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Media

• 2D and 3D works
• Mixed Media
• Artists aged 18 and older

Art Requirements

What mediums are accepted for this exhibition?
Any 2D or 3D visual media, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, and mixed media.

Are there size restrictions for works?
The artist must be able to transport their own work.

Can I submit multiple pieces of art?
Yes, artists may submit up to five pieces, but each submission will be considered separately. 

Does my artwork need to be framed or ready to hang?
Yes, all accepted artworks must be ready for display. Framing and hanging requirements will be detailed in the acceptance guidelines.

Can I submit artwork I created a long time ago?
Yes, works from any stage of your artistic journey are welcome, as long as they align with the exhibition's themes. 

FAQ

Submission Process

What is the deadline for submissions?
Submissions are due by 5 p.m. April 15, 2025.

Is there a submission fee?
No, submitting your artwork is free.

What should I include with my submission?
Artists should include images of their work (JPEG 300 dpi), an artist statement, a brief description of how their work aligns with the exhibition's themes, and a preferred email. 

How will I know if my work has been accepted?
If accepted, you will receive an email by April 22, 2025. 

Logistics

What is the process for dropping off and picking up my artwork?
Instructions for drop-off and pick-up will be provided to accepted artists.

What happens if I can't drop off or pick up my artwork myself?
You may designate someone to handle drop-off or pick-up on your behalf.

Will there be insurance for my artwork during the exhibition?
No, there will not be insurance provided for the artwork.

Can I sell my artwork during the exhibition?
Sales arrangements can be made directly between the artist and interested buyers; however, Soka University does not take responsibility for sales.

Note: Artists are responsible for the drop-off and pick-up of their own works.