Call Description

Color has the power to shift a mood, spark a memory, or ignite emotion in an instant. A single bold stroke can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Splash of Color celebrates the expressive force of color in all its forms — vibrant or subtle, harmonious or clashing, controlled or spontaneous. This open call invites artists of every age and working in every medium to explore how color speaks through their unique creative voice.

A splash can be literal — paint thrown across a canvas, ink bleeding into paper, glass catching the light — or metaphorical, a burst of unexpected hue in photography, sculpture, fiber, digital art, or mixed media. It may represent joy, chaos, serenity, identity, movement, or transformation.

At its heart, this exhibition honors color as a universal language — one that crosses generations, abilities, and artistic disciplines. Each work becomes a conversation about how color shapes perception and how it can awaken something within us.

We invite artists to make their mark boldly, tenderly, playfully, or powerfully.

Let your color speak.

About ACE Gallery and Studio ACE: 
Located in Oceanside, CA, Studio ACE was founded in 2016 by Executive Director Julia Fister and is dedicated to providing inclusive, affordable, and high-quality arts education for all ages and abilities, from toddlers to seniors, including free art programs for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults. ACE Gallery, part of Studio ACE, is an intimate exhibition space established in early 2024 to support the nonprofit’s arts programming.

ACE Gallery offers both emerging and established artists a welcoming space to share their work with the community, fostering creativity and connection. In addition, Studio ACE partners with various organizations to serve under-resourced communities and regularly participates in local fairs and festivals, offering free, family-friendly art activities tailored to each event.

Proceeds from artwork sales at ACE Gallery support both the exhibiting artists and Studio ACE’s mission to connect, inspire, and enrich lives through Arts, Community, and Education (ACE).

Application Requirements

Submission Details: 

ACE Gallery welcomes submissions of artworks in an array of media. See parameters below; for artwork in a medium not listed, please contact gallery@studioace.org before applying.

Submissions may include but are not limited to: 

• Paintings/Drawings
• Limited Edition Prints
• Mixed Media
• Photography
• Digital Art
• Sculpture

Special Notes:

• All 2-D artworks must measure no more than 24 inches in any direction, including frame, and must be “ready to hang” by attached D-rings and picture hanging wire.
• “Saw-toothed” or other inadequate installation hardware will not be accepted.
• 3-D sculptural artwork must fit on a pedestal with a size limitation of no more than 14 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 24 inches high.
• Weight limit for all artworks is 35 pounds (including packaging if artwork is shipped).
• Artwork requiring electrical connections cannot be accommodated.
• All artwork must arrive ready to install (ready to hang or display).
• Work requiring special handling is to be installed & removed by the artist.
• No accepted work may be substituted or exchanged for any reason.
• Work must be original to the artist and must be for sale.
• The split for all artwork sales is 60% to the artist and 40% to ACE Gallery.
• The artwork sale price listed by the artist when applying is the FINAL sale price and may not be changed after acceptance.
• All artwork details listed on the application are final and cannot be changed after acceptance (size, medium, sale price, etc.)
• An artist bio and/or brief information about the artwork, along with a photo, is encouraged for the Gallery Bio Book, when accepted. Please provide an 8 ½ x 11 PDF emailed to gallery@studioace.org or dropped off/shipped with artwork.

Important Dates: 

• Submissions Open: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
• Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Midnight (PST)
• Emailed Notification of Accepted Work: Friday, May 29, 2026
• Artwork Drop-off: Friday & Saturday, June 19 & 20, 2026 (11:00am–2:00pm)
• Exhibition Dates: Saturday, June 27 – Thursday, July 30, 2026
• Opening Reception: Saturday, June 27, 2026 (5:00–7:00 pm) — Artists are encouraged to attend and invite their communities.
• Artwork Pick-up: Saturday, August 1, 2026 (11:00am–2:00pm)
• Artwork Return Shipping: Monday, August 3, 2026 (the week of)

Delivery or Shipping of Accepted Artwork: 

Accepted works can be either dropped off at the gallery or shipped at the artist's expense. See the following instructions and delivery schedules. 

In-person Artwork Drop-off: 

• All hand-delivered works will be dropped at ACE Gallery:
  • 3861 Mission Ave #B3, Oceanside, CA 92058
• Hand delivered artwork will be accepted on the following dates/times:
  • Friday & Saturday, June 19 & 20, 2026, from 11:00am–2:00pm

Shipped Artwork:

• All shipped works will be shipped at the cost of the artist to:
  • ABO/Attn: Bob Boon, 7930 Arjons Dr, STE A, San Diego, CA 92126

Shipped Artwork Must:

• Arrive by 4:00pm on Friday, June 19, 2026.
• Be insured for its full value.
• Be packed in a sturdy shipping box using materials that can be easily reused for return shipment.
• Include a prepaid return shipping label with barcode (UPS or FedEx) OR the artist must ensure a return shipping label is provided to ACE Gallery by the conclusion of the exhibition (see artwork return instructions below).

Pick-up and Return of Artwork:

Important Note: ACE Gallery does NOT have art storage. Unless other arrangements have been made, a late pick-up fee of $10 per day will be charged to the artist for:

• All artwork not picked up during the designated pick-up date/time.
• All artwork to be shipped back to the artist for which a return shipping label is not provided to ACE Gallery by the conclusion of the exhibition.

In-person Artwork Pick-up: 

• At ACE Gallery, Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 11:00am – 2:00pm

Shipped Artwork Return:

• Artwork will be shipped back to artists throughout the week following the conclusion of the exhibition (the week of Monday, August 3, 2026).
• Artists must provide a prepaid shipping label with a barcode (UPS or FedEx) for return shipment by the conclusion of the exhibition to ensure safe return of the work.

Eligibility Criteria

Entry Fees: 

• $25 for three (3) submissions.
• Additional submissions are welcome at a cost of $10 per image.
• Artists are encouraged to submit as many images as desired.
• Entry/Submission Fees are nonrefundable.