Call Description

Surrealism challenges reality, bending the familiar into the extraordinary. Whether through dreamlike landscapes, uncanny juxtapositions, or psychological depth, we seek works that defy logic and invite viewers into an alternate world. Show us the impossible, the whimsical, and the bizarre—art that speaks to the subconscious and evokes wonder. We encourage submissions that challenge perceptions, blur boundaries, and embrace the surreal. Let your imagination run wild!

Best of Show $800 – 1st Place $400 – 2nd Place $300 plus 4 Honorable Mentions

JUROR – Seta Injeyan, Surrealist Painter

Seta Injeyan is a contemporary fine artist whose work explores the interconnectedness of existence, movement, and the sustaining forces of both natural and mythological phenomena. Deeply influenced by her dreams, she draws inspiration from visions of flying fish, her own cast shadow, Rembrandt, doorways, open roads, human organs, and even astrophysical events. Through this process of discovery, she reveals striking parallels—trees and human lungs, roads and arteries, Prometheus and the regenerating liver, the brain and electric discharges, the eye and Black Holes. In her art, biology, mythology, electrostatics, and astrophysics intertwine, exchanging energy, momentum, and meaning in an ever-evolving dialogue.

Born into an Armenian family in Aleppo, Syria, Injeyan immigrated to Los Angeles at age 24, where she pursued her passion for art, earning a BFA from Art Center College of Design. This formal training provided her with the essential tools to embark on her artistic journey. Her work has been exhibited in national and international galleries, selected by esteemed curators, and recognized for its evocative depth. As renowned art critic Peter Frank observes, “As Injeyan employs it here, the combination of realism and expressionism is itself a surrealistic parallel to the Gnostic belief that ‘What is above is below, what is inner is outer.’”

ELIGIBILITY
Surrealism is open to all artists and photographers worldwide.

IMPORTANT DATES
Exhibit entry starts: Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Deadline for entries: Sunday, April 13, 2025 -  11:59 pm MST

Notice of acceptance (by e-mail) by: Sunday, April 20, 2025

Award winners notified: Monday, April 21, 2025

Exhibit opens: Friday, May 16, 2025

Exhibit closes: Tuesday, June 30 2025, 11:59 pm* PST

*Exhibit will remain on view on the SFVACC website Archived Exhibits page indefinitely.

AWARDS
An $800 cash award will be presented for Best of Show. A 1st Place cash award of $400 and a 2nd Place cash award of $300 will be awarded as well. Juror will also select up to Four Honorable Mention awards.

SUBMISSION CRITERIA AND CONTENT
Entries must be original and of the artist’s own execution.  Do not submit works which violate copyright laws.   Artwork created and completed under the direct supervision of an instructor is not eligible. Once artwork is submitted, it may not be substituted or withdrawn by the artist.  All juried artwork must remain online until the end of the exhibit.  Please do not enter art that has been shown at any previous SFVACC exhibit. 

ARTWORK FORMAT, PRESENTATION & REQUIREMENTS 
Artwork submissions are limited to six (6) original artworks per artist as .JPGs in the following media: drawing, mixed media, collage, printmaking, fiber art, photography, painting, digital art and sculpture. No audio, video, or AI generated work will be accepted. All artwork images should be submitted unframed unless the artist feels that a particular style of mounting, matting or framing is crucial to proper artistic presentation.

FORMAT FOR DIGITAL IMAGES (JPGS)
All entries must be submitted as a high resolution (1-5MB), digital .JPEG either cropped to remove background or on a black background without a mat. Photos of the artwork should not be taken through glass or plexiglas. Image quality is critical: Poor photography and presentation may affect acceptance by the juror. Directions for uploading photos to CaFÉ are clearly described on their website. 

ENTRIES & FEES One entry is $40.  Artist may add up to 5 additional entries at $5 each.  Payment is made through CaFÉ via credit card.  Fees are non-refundable.  There is no guarantee of acceptance into the exhibit.

SALES
A prospective buyer can contact the artist via email by clicking on the artist’s name under the image they are interested in purchasing.  All sales will be handled directly between the artist and buyer.  Prices cannot be changed from those stated at submission.  SFVACC will receive NO commission on any and all sales of art from the exhibit or as a result of the exhibit.  If artwork is sold, the artist must notify the SFVACC so a red dot (signifying it’s been sold) and SOLD in the place of the price, can be added.  Any artwork without a sale price on the entry form will be considered “Not for Sale” (NFS). Collecting sales tax is the responsibility of the artist. Shipping and insurance shall be by mutual agreement between the buyer and artist.

PROMOTION OF THE EXHIBIT
SFVACC encourages artists to promote the exhibition on their social pages. The exhibit’s prospectus will be available online at www.sfvacc.org/open-call.

LOCATION
This virtual exhibit may be viewed 24/7 on the SFVACC website - www.sfvacc.org > EXHIBITS > Current Exhibit.

Application Requirements

Application Requirements: See FORMAT FOR DIGITAL IMAGES above.

Eligibility Criteria

Surrealism is open to all artists and photographers worldwide.