Call Description

History is made in minutes and hours that culminate in days, weeks, months, and years of consequences from decisions and actions. The exhibition, 2,191,464 Hours of History asks you to choose a point in American History and react to it as an artist. To acknowledge the 250th Birthday of the United States, we invite you to choose a moment or period in history that is significant to you and express that importance and/or consequence through a work of art. All media are welcome. 
The M. G. Nelson Family Gallery at the Springfield Art Association in Springfield, Illinois will present this exhibition from July 3rd through July 31, 2026.

The judges are esteemed faculty from the University of Illinois, Springfield. Brytton Bjorngaard is the Director of Visual Arts and Associate Professor of Graphic Design. Graham A. Peck, PhD, is the Wepner Distinguished Professor of Lincoln Studies and a Department of History professor. They will be choosing the works for the exhibition and the award winners. A Best of Show and three additional awards will be presented at the opening reception on Friday, July 3rd.

Calendar
Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Notification Date; Saturday, May 30, 2026
Delivery Dates: June 19 – 27, 2026
Exhibition Opening Reception and Awards: Friday, July 3, 2026
Exhibition Closing: Friday, July 31, 2026

All accepted works must be “gallery ready.” This means that all work must have proper hanging/display hardware. Paintings must be framed or have the edges finished for presentation. The Springfield Art Association reserves the right not to install works that do not meet the requirements.

All shipped works must be sent with a pre-paid return shipping label.

Application Requirements

Each artist may submit one image each of up to three different works for the application fee of $30. Application fees are non-refundable. 

Eligibility Criteria

All artists must be 21 years or older. All standard 2D and 3D media and video are eligible.