Call Description

Exhibition Timeline

• Submissions Accepted Beginning: July 21, 2025
• Submission Deadline: October 6, 2025 at 11:59pm Mountain Time
• Artist Notification: October 20, 2025, via email
• Artwork Delivery: Nov 3 - Nov 7, 2025
• Exhibition Dates: November 17, 2025 - January 9, 2026
• Opening Reception: November 20, 2025  |  5:30pm - 8:00pm

About Our Juror

Sarah Nguyen, Colombia, MO — Sarah Nguyen is a mixed media artist, working primarily with paper. Storytelling is central to her hand cut-fiber panels and paintings. Her work has appeared in numerous national and international solo and group exhibitions and publications. Her work has been part of exhibitions in museums and festivals including (but not limited to) Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum of Asian Pacific Experience, the Daum Museum, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Grounds and Museum, the Truman Museum, Cheekwood Estates & Gardens, and Kansas City’s 2018 Open Spaces. She has taken part in a number of artist residencies from around the world as a visiting artist and teacher including Serbia, Bulgaria, Japan, and France, as well as the United States. Sarah is currently the Art Installations Curator for the True/False Film Fest. 

Sarah received her BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA in Painting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. 

Honoring Our Namesake

Kit Gilbert, Ruston, LA — Kit Gilbert was a beloved Ruston artist whose creative spirit and impactful work left a lasting legacy in the community. Known for her unique artistic voice and dedication to her craft, Kit inspired many through both her art and her generous, vibrant presence. This annual showcase honors her life, her contributions to the arts scene, and the enduring influence of her work.

About the Gilbert Center

The Gilbert Center is a legacy project of the Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation. It carries forward the combined legacies of artists Ross Lynn and Kit Gilbert, offering a dynamic and inclusive space that celebrates the arts and nurtures the creative spirit. It embodies their passion for creativity, their dedication to fostering artistic talent, and their vision of creating space for the enrichment of lives.

Awards/Cash Prizes

Juror’s Choice/Best-in-Show ($750) — The Best in Show Prize honors the most exceptional work in the exhibition, recognizing an artist whose submission best embodies the spirit of Kit Gilbert’s artistic legacy. This award celebrates creativity, innovation, and technical excellence. The recipient will receive a cash prize of $750 and a certificate of achievement, marking their work as a standout favorite of our juror.

People’s Choice ($500) — The People’s Choice Award invites visitors to have their say by voting for the artwork that resonates most with them the night of the opening reception. This award celebrates the power of connection and community engagement, reflecting Kit Gilbert’s dedication to fostering artistic dialogue. The winning artist will receive a cash prize of $500 and a certificate of achievement, marking their work as a standout favorite of the exhibition’s audience.

Application Requirements

• Entry fee: $12 per artwork
• Maximum of three (3) entries per artist
• All fees are non-refundable
• All entries must be submitted online using the official Juried Showcase submission form.
• Each submission must include:
  • High-resolution image of the artwork
  • Title
  • Medium
  • Dimensions
  • Price (if applicable)
  • Artist statement (250 words or less)

2D Works

• Must be ready to hang upon arrival (wired, cleated, bracketed, or with a hook). Note: Works without appropriate hanging hardware will be rejected.
• Unframed works on paper or unmounted photographs will not be accepted.
• Maximum dimensions: 84 inches tall x 60 inches wide

3D Works

• Must be accompanied by an installation description or image.
• Must include complete dimensions (height, width, depth).
• Maximum size: 84” height, 36” x 36” footprint
• Maximum weight: 150 lbs

Shipping and Delivery

• Artists are responsible for delivery and pickup of all artwork to/from the Gilbert Center
• If the artist opts to ship their work, the artist is responsible for all costs associated with shipping and must supply a return label

Sales and Commission

• Creative Exchange will handle all sales, applicable taxes, and fees
• The Gilbert Center will retain a 30% commission on any works sold
• Artists will receive payment (minus commission and fees) within one month of the exhibition’s close.
   

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to artists 18 years or older, residing in the United States
• All artwork must be original and created since 2020
• There is no specific theme for this showcase—any original work completed within the timeframe is welcome
• All media will be considered: Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Mixed Media, Textile, Digital Art, Ceramics, 3D Works, Video (5 min max), etc.
• Artwork generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted. Submitted work must demonstrate the artist's creative input and intent.

Made Possible Through the Support of Our Showcase Sponsors

• Creative Exchange, Ruston, LA
• Northeast Louisiana Arts Council
• Buie's Photo Shoppe and Studio, Ruston, LA
• Fine Line Supply Co, Ruston, LA
• Ruston Cultural District
• Tower Place, Monroe, LA
• The Trove, Monroe, LA
• Experience Ruston
• North Central Louisiana Art Council