Call Description

This is a call to artists who are members of Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA)'s Artist Alliance: You are invited to submit up to 20 entries for consideration in this juried art exhibition at Front Porch Gallery in Carlsbad Village entitled “More Than Words”.

Selected by Front Porch Program Director Andrea Woolley and Program Manager Jean Keane, this exhibition is not strictly themed, but artists are encouraged to submit abstract or figurative work that depicts the written word in any alphabet or language, including musical notes. Artwork may be accompanied by a short story, song, or poem if desired (max 150 words), which will be represented on the artwork wall label.

Jurors Andrea Woolley and Jean Keane will select work that she feels creates the strongest show when considering all works in context with the other works submitted. The jurors’ selections are subjective. It is not possible to include every excellent and worthy artwork submitted.

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Submissions will be accepted exclusively through the CaFÉ platform, www.callforentry.org.

Artists who are not members of the OMA Artist Alliance but are interested in participating in this exhibition must submit their membership applications for OMA with the Artist Alliance add-on before submitting artwork for consideration. Details on how to join can be found in this prospectus, or at oma-online.org/membership.

All active OMA Artist Alliance members are eligible to submit to the open call, irrespective of any affiliation with the museum. This includes OMA staff, volunteers, and board members. Please note that Museum staff and members of the board are not eligible to receive awards, if and when awards are a part of the submission opportunity (awards are not offered for the Front Porch exhibition). This exhibition will be determined through blind jurying (ie. the names of submitting artists will not be shared with the juror during the jurying process).

Contact Katie Dolgov at katie@oma-online.org with questions about this submission opportunity after carefully reading the prospectus in full.

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ENTRY FEE: $25 for first submission, $10 for each thereafter. 

Scholarships are available, please contact katie@oma-online.org if you would like to be considered for a scholarship.

Thank you for being a part of OMA. Your submission fees (less CAfÉ listing fees) and membership dues go toward supporting the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming.

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LOCATION:

Front Porch Gallery, 2903 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Friday 11:00am-4:00pm; Saturday 12:00-4:00pm

www.frontporchgallery.org, (760) 795-6120

PLEASE NOTE: This is a mixed-use space. Art-making workshops take place in the same vicinity as artwork display. Measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the artwork at all times.

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TIMELINE:

• Deadline to submit: Monday, April 13, 2026, 10:59PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) 
• Notifications of selected artworks: On or before Friday, May 1, 2026
• Art Drop Off/Delivery to Front Porch Gallery: Wednesday May 27 and Thursday May 28
  • Before Monday May 25, Artwork under 48" in all dimensions may also be shipped to arrive at Oceanside Museum of Art. Please contact katie@oma-online.org if you plan to ship your artwork.
• Exhibition on view to public: May 30–July 26, 2026
• Public reception: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:00-4:00pm 

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JURORS:

Juror and Front Porch Programs Director Andrea (Andi) Woolley is a dedicated art educator with a lifelong passion for helping people of all ages and abilities discover the transformative power of art. She has spent her career nurturing creativity and curiosity, firmly believing that art can change lives. Her work developing art programs and teaching art and vocational skills to adults with disabilities, has strengthened her commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in art education.

Juror and Front Porch Program Manager Jeane Keane shapes exhibitions and community arts programs grounded in connection and creative aging. Known for building intergenerational collaborations, she works directly with artists and community partners to create spaces where art feels accessible and alive. Her curatorial lens values authenticity, storytelling, and work that invites viewers into meaningful dialogue.

At Front Porch Gallery, our curatorial and programming vision centers on presenting exhibitions that uplift, inspire, and foster meaningful connection. We are intentionally focusing on shows that cultivate hope, joy, and unity. Work that invites people to slow down, reflect, and engage with one another through shared creative experience. Our collaboration with OMA aligns beautifully with that vision, as it reflects our commitment to building loving, interconnected relationships through both observing and creating art. We see each exhibition as an opportunity not only to showcase meaningful work, but to strengthen community through the act of gathering around art together.

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SALES/COMMISSION

Artwork is not required to be available for sale; NFS is allowed.

All sales will be conducted by Front Porch Gallery staff. The artist will receive 60% of any sales. Gallery commission rate is 40%. OMA appreciates a donation of a percentage of the proceeds from sales from the artist post-sale, but it is not mandatory. 10% is typical.

Sold artwork must remain with the exhibition through the end of the show.

Application Requirements

Media

• Sculptures will not be included in this exhibition
• All submissions must be original works of art. No giclees or other reproductions, with exception of limited edition prints and/or photography.
• Artwork may be in any media or style.
• Artwork depicting nudity will NOT be selected
• Artwork requiring special or unusual lighting, electricity, or unusual methods of installation cannot be accommodated. Please contact katie@oma-online.org to discuss your entry if you think it may fit this description.

Size

• Wall mounted two-dimensional work: maximum 72" width x 72" height, including frame.
• Three-dimensional/sculptural artwork will not be included in this exhibition

Frames

• Works on paper and canvases .75” or less must be framed.
• Canvases of 1.5” depth or greater may be gallery wrapped.
• Edges of unframed work must be clean, finished, and/or gallery wrapped.
• If work is gallery wrapped no frame is needed.

Installation Hardware

• Two-dimensional/wall-hanging work MUST have D-rings on the back installed at equal heights on either side of the work.
• If you have questions about the installation hardware on your artwork please contact katie@oma-online.org.

Eligibility Criteria

OMA Membership with Artist Alliance add-on

Artists must be a current OMA member with the Artist Alliance affiliate membership add-on. Artists who are not members of OMA with the Artist Alliance add-on but are interested in participating in this exhibition must become members of OMA at any level and add Artist Alliance before submitting artwork for consideration. 

• Join online: Visit oma-online.org/membership. Choose any level of membership and then add Artist Alliance
• Join by phone: Call the OMA membership center at (760) 435-3724
• Join in person: Visit Oceanside Museum of Art at 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside CA (please check www.oma-online.org for public hours)

Image Quality

Keep in mind, the quality of artwork photography may affect whether your artwork will be selected. Ensure your artwork is photographed in good lighting with a steady camera. Direct sunlight on a clear day is ideal if studio lighting is not available. Include the artwork image only without frame, unless the frame is an artistically defining part of the submission.