Call Description

In celebration of our 20th Anniversary we are expanding our internationally acclaimed annual shows to include a call for both established and rising artists. Our Summer Salon is a focus on POP Surrealism, magic realism, and lowbrow contemporary art and we are encouraging creatives in all media to submit work for inclusion. A rare opportunity for inclusion in a POP Gallery Denver feature ... let's make this show extraordinary together.  The show will be online as well as in our main floor gallery with exposure to First Friday & 3rd Friday ARTwalk crowds in June and a closing reception for First Friday in July. 

Past exhibitions have featured Carrie Ann Baade, Jennybird Alcantera, Aunia Kahn, Kate Samuels, Artist Sisters Miss Mindy & CJ Metzger, Marie Sena, Kathie Olivas, Renee Lawter, Julie Adams, June Valentine-Ruppe, Suzy Smith, Kelli Judkins-Cooper, Kristen Margiotta, Stephanie Roberts, Lea Barozzi, & Tammi Steele, among others. Our gentlemen artists have included Lynden St. Victor, Clifford Bailey, Trevor Mikula, Joshua Spendlove, Stephan Martinere, Joel Nakamura & Travis Bruce Black among others. Our 2026 Exhibition calls for 2D and 3D art from cartoon inspired whimsical work, albeit cute & creepy, to the macabre. The show gives a respectful nod to the Great Masters, Surrealism, Symbolism the Pre-Raphaelites, Futurism and vintage graphic design. 

Our vision past to present: Established in 2007 as Santa Fe, New Mexico’s first cutting edge gallery, Pop raised the bar locally drawing established and emerging New Brow Contemporary artists to Santa Fe from around the world. Founded by Michael McDowell and Sharla Throckmorton McDowell who together have over 30 years experience in the Santa Fe and International art communities. We have curated some of the most relevant Mod-Western and Contemporary exhibitions in the market to date. Our vision is rooted in providing art lovers with a thought provoking alternative. Rising from the underground world of tattooing and graffiti, comics, cartoons, pop art, illustration, and surrealist artists, the art showcased feeds of the blend of influences and energies well cemented in today’s culture. In essence, Pop Gallery continues to represent a celebration of mediums and ideas, the dynamic union between independence and spirit, the emergence of sub-culture on a contemporary platform. Pop Gallery Denver is simply an opportunity to connect diverse creatives with purveyors of the unique. 

Application Requirements

Schedule:

May 15th Entry Deadline

May 18th Artist Notification 

May 30th Deadline for receipt of artwork 

June 5th-July 3rd Exhibition Dates

Exhibition opening/closing reception (First Friday ARTwalks June & July)

July 10-12 Artists p/u 

Artwork shipping return July 10-12

Eligibility Criteria

Submission Criteria:

All artwork must be of original design, by personal execution and not previously shown at POP Gallery.

Submissions must include:

Artists full name 

Contact information including mailing address, telephone number, email address.

Title of piece, medium and substrate

Dimensions (H X W X D)

Year completed/Retail Price

The maximum size for 2 D art is 40 X 40, not including frame

The maximum size for 3 D art is 30 X 30 X 30 

Work submitted must be ready for installation upon arrival to gallery. Wall art must be wired, NO sawtooth, D loop or hook type hangers, etc. NO Glass in framing, plexi only. Artwork deemed not ready for installation will not be hung. All hanging art must be less than 35 lbs. Unframed artwork edges must be finished, no staples. Canvas or cradled substrate may be no less than 1 3/8 deep. 

Commission and payment:

All artwork must be available for sale. POP Gallery will retain 50% commission on sales.  Artist will be paid 31 days of the exhibit closing.