Call Description

Thornback Gallery invites LGBQTIA+ visual artists living and working in the American Southeast (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) to apply for 'Cloud Nine: The Art of Queer Joy'. 

We feel that, in light of the current political climate, providing an inclusive platform for the joyful expression of the LGBQTIA+ community is more important than ever. 

There are no thematic or formal requirements other than submitting works that fit your personal interpretation of the phrase "Queer Joy" - celebratory, colorful, jubilant.

Please submit up to two works for consideration. Works will be selected by guest curator, Adam du Shole.

Application Requirements

Entry Format

• Each image file must be in .jpg format and should not exceed 5 MB in size.
• All images must be correctly oriented.Please include high-quality images, along with title, medium, dimensions, and price for each work.

For more information, contact info@thornbackgallery.com.

Important Dates

• Deadline for Entry: Monday, May 11, 2026.
• Notification of acceptance emailed: Monday, May 18, 2026.
• Accepted work must be dropped off or delivered to the gallery (201 Smythe Street, Greenville, SC 29611) by no later than Monday, May 25, 2026.
• Exhibition Dates: Friday, May 29- Friday, July, 3, 2026
• Artist Reception: Friday, June 5, 2026 from 6-9pm
• Pick up accepted work from gallery Saturday, July 4 from 1-4pm or Sunday July 5 from 12-3pm.
• All work must be ready to hang or professionally presented.
• Artist is responsible for artwork drop off/ delivery and cost of return shipping unsold work.

Juror Bio

Adam du Shole (b.Newport,RI-1980) received a BA in Comparative Literature from Mercyhurst University and an MFA in 2D Animation from the School of Film & Animation at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

While he has worked briefly in multiple artistic disciplines, including animator, designer, visual merchandiser and sign-painter, his foray into the fine arts began in 2019 after relocating to Greenville, SC. Inspired by street art, animation and historical research, his work has been featured in local and regional galleries of the South East including Kai Lin Gallery of Atlanta, the 701CCA South Carolina Biennial, Kulture Klash Charleston, and The Bascom Center. His work has been featured in AtHome Magazine, TOWN Carolina and Talk Magazine. Most recently he won the Emerging Festival Artist grant and will be featured in Artisphere 2026. 

IG: @Amadhouselad

Eligibility Criteria

Open to self-identified LGBTQIA+ visual artists.

Applicants must reside and work in one of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

All visual media are eligible (including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, textile, and mixed media).

There are no strict thematic or formal requirements; however, submitted works should reflect the artist’s personal interpretation of “Queer Joy”—whether celebratory, vibrant, tender, or expansive.

Submitted work must be original and created within the past three years.

Work must be available for exhibition for the full duration of the show.