Call Description

Long Beach isn’t just a city; it’s a living, breathing canvas. Gritty yet vibrant, industrial yet soulful, this urban oceanfront mecca pulses with layered stories, generations of movement, and a defiant creative spirit that sets it apart from its Southern California neighbors.

As Long Beach has grown, so has its artistic soul-shaped by a history of resilience, waves of cultural influence, and communities that turn concrete into color. This group exhibition invites artists of all kinds to honor, reinterpret, and remix the city’s essence.

From iconic landmarks to shadowy alleyways, skate culture to shipping cranes, this is your chance to show the world YOUR Long Beach.

Suggested themes include (but are not limited to):

• Historic icons (architecture, vintage signage, the port, oil rigs, The Pike, the Navy)
• Tattoo culture and body art.
• Car life from commuters to cruisers.
• Skateboarding, surfing, beach life, and roller disco flair.
• LGBTQ+ identity and pride.
• Global roots and cultural intersections.
• The city’s legendary bar and music scene.

We welcome all mediums: painting, photography, sculpture, fashion, whatever medium you use to capture the spirit of this city.

This is a call to the misfits, the fine artists, the lowbrow visionaries, the outsiders, the seasoned pros and the bold beginners. If Long Beach lives in your blood, your work belongs here.

This exhibition will run from October 11th to November 15th, 2025.

ORIGINAL works of art in the following media are welcome: sculpture and assemblage; paintings, drawings, and collage; photographs, digital art, or videos; and printmaking. All work must have been produced within the last five years and may not exceed 36 inches in any dimension, including the frame.

Please note: At this time, we are NOT accepting work produced or significantly altered by AI.

If you plan to exhibit a photograph or digital print of your own original work, it must be categorized as a photograph or digital work, regardless of the original medium.

Jurors: 

• Michael Biagiotti - Lead Jurist (Website)
• Michele Rene (Website)
• Lucas Gordon (Website)

Important Dates:

• Deadline to submit work: Wednesday, September 3rd, by 10PM PST.
• Notification to artists: Monday, September 15th.
• Drop-off dates:
  • Saturday, September 27th, 10AM to 12PM
  • Sunday, September 28th, 3PM to 5PM
• Opening receptions:
  • Saturday, October 11th, 1PM to 4PM
  • Sunday, October 12th, 1PM to 4PM
• The exhibit runs from October 11th to November 15th, Friday through Sunday, 1-4PM, and special events.
• Pick-up dates:
  • Saturday, November 15th, 4PM to 6PM
  • Sunday, November 16th, 10AM – 12PM
• Deadline: Wednesday, September 3rd, at 10PM. We recommend you plan to submit your work at least one week before the deadline. So many little things can happen that require you to save your entry and get more information, retake a photograph, etc.

(Artists are not required to attend special events, but we highly encourage your participation and invite you to bring your family, friends, colleagues, and communities.)

Application Requirements

Maximum size: 36 inches in any direction, including the frame. Work exceeding these dimensions will be disqualified.

Sales: All work must be for sale and reasonably priced.

Ready to hang: All 2D work must have proper weight picture wire and d-rings. Saw-toothed hangers are not acceptable.

Paintings on canvas do not need frames, but the edges should be clean. Works on paper are generally framed.  Artists may be asked to provide their own pedestal for three-dimensional work, painted white and clean.

Work must be neatly and professionally presented. If work is brought in that is not professionally presented, it will not be included in the show.

Work must match the photograph submitted at the time of application. Submissions not matching the photograph will be refused.

Submissions: There is a $20 non-refundable fee for entry, regardless of whether your work is selected for the show.

Each artist may submit a maximum of 3 works.

Photographing your work: All artwork must be photographed straight on with high resolution. Photos should be cropped to the edge of the image to eliminate any background, such as a frame or surface behind the artwork.

Eligibility Criteria

• All artists who reside in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California.
• Artists who grew up in Long Beach but no longer reside there.
• Artists who are current students or alumni of CSULB (California State University, Long Beach) or LBCC (Long Beach City College).