Call Description

Exhibition Title: Truth Unveiled: Art as Reality, Illusion, and Insight

Call for Submissions:

In a time when truth and falsehood are increasingly blurred, the Art League of RI invites artists of all media from all regions of the world to submit works for the Truth Unveiled exhibition. The artists’ work chosen for this exhibition will reflect on how art—as an inherently imaginative, subjective expression—can open minds, raise awareness, and convey truth in ways that straight facts cannot.

We believe that art provides a unique lens to reveal both personal and universal truths, engaging viewers in a conversation about authenticity, perception, and illusion. Truth Unveiled aims to provoke conversation about art as both a vehicle for and a challenger of truth. ALRI is seeking work that engages viewers beyond the literal, and we encourage artists and audiences alike to question the nature of reality and illusion, opening pathways for reflection and discussion.

Location:

Art League RI Gallery and Tiernan Hallway Gallery
80 Fountain Street, Suite 107A, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Jurors:

Conor Moynihan is the Interim Department Head and Associate Curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs at the RISD Museum, where he focuses on the modern and contemporary work in the collection. His areas of focus include performance, identity-based practices, queer art, and disability arts. His recent exhibitions at the RISD Museum include Variance: Making, Unmaking, and Remaking Disability (2022), The Performative Self-Portrait (2023), and--with Christina Alderman and members of RISD Art Circle--Listen! (2024-2025). He is currently working on an exhibition surveying Dawn Clements' tabletop still lives for Fall 2027.

Christina Alderman is the Director of Family and Teen Programs at the RISD Museum, where she develops and oversees educational initiatives that foster creative engagement for young audiences. Her work focuses on making art accessible through interactive experiences, interdisciplinary learning, and community collaborations. Recent projects include Listen! (2024–2025), co-curated with Conor Moynihan and RISD Art Circle, as well as collaborations with local youth organizations and artists. She is dedicated to creating spaces where teens and families can explore, interpret, and connect with art in meaningful ways.

Important Dates:

Exhibition Runs: October 18 - December 6, 2025

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 5:00 -7:00 pm

Closing Reception, Saturday, December, 6, 2025, 5:00-7:00 pm

Open Call Closes: August 15, 2025, 11:59 pm (EST)

Jurying Cycle: August 15 - August 30, 2025 (Online/In-Person)

Notification of Acceptance: On or Before September 15, 2025

Drop-Off Dates: In-Person: September 16 - 26, 2025, by appointment; Via Mail: by September 26, 2025

Installation Dates: October 6 - 18, 2025

Pick-Up Dates: 
In-Person: December 7 - 14, by appointment
VIA Mail: Returned by December 14, 2025

Awards:

First Place: $500

Second Place: $300

Third Place: $150

Honorable Mention (2)

Application Requirements

As part of your submission, please provide a short bio and a brief artist statement and reply to the question below.

Bio: (100 words)

Artist Statement: (200 words)

Describe how your work engages with the exhibition’s themes: (150 words)
 

Submittal Fee:

Non-members: The 1st piece is $35, and each additional piece is $10, for a total of 5 pieces. All CaFE fees are non-refundable and must be paid by credit/debit card.

Payment of those fees indicates the acknowledgment of the terms and conditions of the exhibition.

Art League RI Members: The 1st piece is $20, and each additional piece is $10, for a total of 5 pieces. For the Art League Member Coupon Code, please contact office@artleagueri.org

Size Limit: Maximum size up to 60” wide and 60” high, including the frame. Artists may have multiple pieces (diptych, triptych, etc.) to make up one work. 3D work may be moved for events. We ask that the overall footprint of 3D work be 60" x 60” or less, with a weight limit of 100 lbs.

Installation Pieces and Digital Artwork: Must include a detailed description of any electrical, lighting, or space requirements. Digital work must include all technical equipment, including but not limited to screens/monitors, wiring, etc., along with a clear set of installation directions.

Sales & Commissions: All works must be for sale unless approved otherwise by the Gallery Manager. Prices provided by the artist should reflect the 30% (members), and 40% (non-members) commission taken by ALRI on all artworks sold. Artists will be paid their 70% (members), and 60% (non-members) percentage of the sale by ALRI within 30 calendar days after the exhibition closes.

In-Person Drop-Off of Artwork:

All in-person deliveries must be made between Tuesday September 16 and Friday, September 26, 2025, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Contact office@artleagueri.org to schedule an appointment. Late works will not be accepted without prior approval. The Art League RI Gallery is located at 80 Fountain Street, Suite 107A, Pawtucket, RI. Please park in the lot on the Middle Street side of the building and enter through the door on the loading dock. A sign will be on the entry door.Anyone delivering artwork in person must remove all packing materials from the Gallery. The Gallery has limited storage space and will not store any packing materials.

Shipment of Artwork:

Shipped artwork must be received no later than Tuesday, September 26, 2025. The address for the shipped artwork is Art League Rhode Island, 80 Fountain Street, Suite 107A, Pawtucket, RI 02860.

When shipping your work, we suggest air float style boxes, or similar packaging for ease of unwrapping and rewrapping. Please do not use loose packing peanuts in shipping. If artwork cannot be repacked in original materials, the artist must supply additional packaging. If you have any questions about packaging your artwork, please contact shardesty@artleagueri.org.

IMPORTANT: Please include a pre-paid return shipping label with your artwork. If a return shipping label is not included, your work may be excluded from the show. If no arrangements are made for the return of the work, a PayPal invoice will be sent to cover the return shipping. Once payment has been made by the artist, the artwork will be shipped.

Packaging:

If Art League RI, UPS, or any other carrier determines that the packaging is not adequate to safely ship the art back to the artist, Art League RI will contact the artist. The artist must notify Art League RI in writing of any changes in their contact information, or their intended place or time of return of their art, before the end of the exhibition. The artist is solely responsible for any time, materials, storage, shipment, or other charges that may arise from inadequate packaging, delayed or redirected shipments, nonresponse of the artist, or any other artist requests. All additional charges must be paid before the return of the work.

Installation:

All artworks will be handled and installed by the Gallery Manager and the Gallery Staff. If there are any specifications for the installation of a work/body of work, a detailed description must be provided to the Gallery Manager and approved ahead of time. Otherwise, the Gallery will take creative liberty regarding the display of the show.

Liability - Legal Agreement & Participant’s Waiver: Submission of work automatically waives any claim for damage or loss against Art League Rhode Island, including the officers, members, and employees. Art League Rhode Island will exercise all reasonable care in handling all artwork but will not assume any liability for loss or damage while in Art League’s possession. Work should be independently insured by the artist.

The artist retains all copyright interests or claims that they have in their art. By submitting images, you give Art League Rhode Island the right to use and reproduce the images to market and document the exhibition, and to enable the image to be part of an online exhibition. Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. Art League Rhode Island reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. Payment of the submission fee indicates acknowledgment of all terms and conditions.

Usage Rights:

The artist retains all copyright interests or claims that they have in their art. By submitting images, you give ALRI the right to use and reproduce the images to market and document the exhibition, and to enable the image to be part of an online exhibition. Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. ALRI reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. Payment of the submission fee indicates acknowledgment of all terms and conditions.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:

Any artist who is at least 18 years or older may participate to the extent that their participation is allowed by law.

Artwork: All 2D and 3D media are eligible. Artwork previously exhibited with ALRI is not permitted. All work must be original. Work found to be copied from copyrighted work will not be hung. Reprints are not permitted. All work must be exhibition ready to install with the appropriate hardware. No saw-tooth hangers or clips. Work that does not adhere to the guidelines or is deemed not to be a faithful representation of the image submitted will not be exhibited. Artwork must be appropriate for viewers of all ages.