Call Description

"Exploration” will be an in-person juried exhibition running from May 2 – June 13, 2026 at the Visual and Performing Arts Center (VAPA) in Charlotte, North Carolina. All works juried into the show must be hand delivered and picked up. The submission deadline will be on April 8, 2026. The exhibition’s theme of Exploration may include—but is not limited to—physical journeys, exploring new materials and techniques, cultural discovery, scientific inquiry, emotional terrain, environmental themes, or abstract interpretations. Artists are encouraged to take a broad interpretation of the theme and create art that invites viewers to consider what it means to explore. All works must first be juried into the show through the online submissions and then they will be judged in person by Nicholas M. Stewart, with cash prizes offered for first through third place, as well as honorable mention. A reception for the show will be held on May 2nd from 3pm – 5pm where prizes will be announced. The works will be prominently displayed on the second floor of the VAPA Center from May 2, 2026 - June 13, 2026, where they will be available for public viewing and purchase.

Application Requirements

The entry fee for up to three pieces of artwork is $30.00 for non-members and $20.00 for VAPA members and is non-refundable. The entry fee can be paid online through CaFÉ™. Your entry fee does not guarantee acceptance into the Exhibition

Any medium, style, genre of 2-D artwork, including mixed-media and photography Is eligible. Art reproductions will NOT be accepted (giclée art prints etc.) Artwork must fulfill the theme of the show, be family-friendly, and appropriate for the general public.

All artwork must be original and the sole work and exclusive property of the submitting artist. Therefore paintings created in an instructional setting, including but not limited to workshops and art classes, are not considered original artwork.

Maximum size, portrait or landscape, including frame should be no more than 38" x 48".  Artwork and frame must not exceed 50 Ibs.

Unframed pieces should be appropriately presented - gallery wrapped and the sides of the canvas should be painted to complement or match the piece. No staples should be visible.

Artwork MUST arrive dry, wired, and ready to hang. No clip frames or sawtooth hangers will be accepted.

 All submitted artwork must be uploaded to this site. One to three pieces of artwork can be submitted. Artists who encounter technical difficulties can request help from CaFÉ™ staff at cafe@westaf.org

Questions related to the exhibit can be emailed to:

·       Curation Committee

·       Email: curation@vapacenter.com

It is very important that artists upload only one photo for each piece of art being submitted. Thus, if the artist submits one piece, they will submit only one photo, or two photos for two pieces of art, etc. Please check that the artwork is properly oriented in the photo and that the frame or other peripheral objects are not included. The curation committee will select the participating pieces from these digital photographs, the prize winners will be selected by a judge, who will judge blindly (meaning all artists names and labels will be covered) from the original art.

CaFÉ™ has specific requirements regarding the file sizes of the photo submitted. Follow their directions or contact their staff. In short, photos cannot exceed 5 MB and the resolution must be 72  dpi.

 Host Location:

VAPA, 700 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Calendar Dates:

Online Submission: Feb.24, 2026 - April 8, 2026

Artwork Delivery: April 24, 2026 or April 25, 2026 from 3 PM to 7 PM

Show Dates: May 2, 2026 to June 13, 2026

Reception and Awards: May 2, 2026  from 3 PM to 5 PM

Artwork Pickup: June 14, 2026 or June 15, 2026 – from 3 PM to 7 PM

HAND DELIVER art to:

VAPA 

700 North Tryon Street,

Charlotte, NC 28202

Eligibility Criteria

Artists aged 18 or over, living in the county of Mecklenburg, or the surrounding counties of Union, Cabarrus, Lancaster, York, Iredell, Lincoln, Catawba, Rowan, Stanley, and Gaston are eligible. The Artist must be able to have their work hand delivered to the Visual And Performing Arts Center.