Call Description

15th Annual International Juried Exhibition - Belonging
February 12-March 6, 2026
Entry Deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025

The A.D. Gallery at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke welcomes all interpretations of the theme Belonging. As our culture becomes increasingly divisive and exclusionary, what does it mean to belong? Why does it matter, and how do we find a sense of belonging?

Artists are invited to submit two-dimensional or three-dimensional works, installations, or digital media (including video-based media). Originality of ideas and observations, as well as composition, technique, style, expression, and craft will be considered in the selection process. 

Juror: Annah Lee
Annah Lee has worked in the visual arts field in her hometown of Raleigh, NC for the past 10 years. She has just recently joined the town of Holly Springs as Manager of the Cultural Center. Annah received her Master's Degree in Art History and completed her PhD coursework at UNC-Chapel Hill. Driven by a cultural history approach and a strong knowledge of various materials and artistic processes, Lee applies this experience to her curatorial and management method. Having forged strong interpersonal relationships with artists, institutions, and community members to ensure programming is relevant to our communities, Lee programs art and artists who respond to current cultural issues. Using art as a lens to explore and understand problems, behaviors, and events we collectively face; while placing a strong emphasis on process and technical mastery, Lee continues to expand access for all to engage with art as a vehicle to appreciate and understand human experience.

Awards: $400 first prize, $200 second prize, and $100 third prize

Entry Fee: $35.00

Shipping and Handling Fee: Accepted artists must provide for delivery and return of work, as below. Please do not submit work for consideration if you are unable to deliver accepted artwork to Pembroke, North Carolina by Friday, January 23, 2026.

CALENDAR

Entry Deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025 
Jury Notification: Monday, December 22, 2025 
Delivery of Accepted Work: January 20 - January 23, 2026
Dates of Exhibition: February 12 - March 6, 2026
Pick up / Return Shipment: March 16 - 20, 2026

Application Requirements

Entry Procedure: Each artist must submit work following the guidelines below.

Entries must be submitted by Monday, December 15, 2025.

Entry Guidelines:
• All entries must be submitted on CaFÉ.
• Artists may enter up to 3 works
• Submitted images should be in JPEG format at 72 dpi
• Submitted files should be no larger than 1024 pixels x 768 pixels
• A full view of each submitted artwork is required.
• For Video submissions, all works must be no longer than 5 minutes. If the work is accepted, you will be asked to submit the original file.
• An artist statement about the work submitted.
• For information on how to apply for a call, go to https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/how-to-apply-artists/
• For information on uploading your media, go to https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/uploading-media/
• If you have any questions or need assistance using CaFÉ, go to https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility: Open to all national and international artists. Works must be completed within the last three years and not have been previously exhibited at the A.D. Gallery. Artwork should be original, no mass-produced prints or reproductions. Submitting artists must be at least 18 years of age.

Entry Fee: $35.00

Shipping and Handling Fee: Accepted artists must provide for delivery and return of work, as below. Please do not submit work for consideration if you are unable to deliver accepted artwork to Pembroke, North Carolina by Friday, January 23, 2026.

Acceptance and Delivery of Work: Artists whose work is selected for the exhibition will be notified by Monday, December 22, 2025. Please do not submit work for consideration if you are unable to deliver it by Friday, January 23, 2026.  Artists are responsible for delivery of their work to and from the gallery.  Accepted work may be delivered in person or shipped postage paid by artist in appropriate packaging for artwork that is reusable upon return shipment. If inappropriate shipping materials are used, damaged work will not be covered by the gallery. All packages must include a prepaid return address label. Shipped artwork must arrive by Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. UPS or FedEx is the preferred method of shipment. 

Mailed entries should be shipped to:
UNCP Department of Art 
c/o Nicole Beverly 
1 University Drive 
PO BOX 1510 
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510

Return of Work: Return postage should be prepaid by the artist and included with the work at the time of delivery. If work is dropped off in person, it should be picked up in person. The gallery will only return work if the artist provides appropriate packing & shipping material with a prepaid shipping label. Shipped work will be returned after March 20, 2026.

Presentation: Wall-mounted work: Not to exceed 5’ in height or width, and 60lbs.; Installations: May not alter the character of gallery walls, ceiling, or floor.

Pedestals will be provided for 3-D work. Multimedia: The gallery is equipped with three 52” monitors (for digital output) and an LCD projector. 

All works must be ready to install. 2-D work must be framed under plexiglass or glass (with exception of works on canvas) and wired with the necessary hanging device attached. Unframed works should be shipped with the appropriate hanging equipment and installation instructions. The juror or gallery director may withhold works that are misrepresented by digital submission.

Art Sales: Sale of work is not permitted as this is a non-profit gallery supported through a state funded university.

Contractual Agreement: Entry to this exhibition implies agreement on the part of the sender to the conditions set forth in this prospectus.

All entries selected for this exhibition will be insured for the listed value from time of receipt through return shipment. Elected work must remain on view until the close of the exhibition.

Copyright Policy: All works must be original. Any audio/music scores associated with submitted works must be original and/or copyright free.

Permission to photograph artwork for exhibition publicity is considered granted unless otherwise stated.