Call Description

Exhibit and publish your art inspired by WATER 

Gallerium proudly presents a celebration of water in art, AQUARIUM 2026, the 4th annual international juried exhibition, publication, and sales opportunity.

What Does Water Mean To You?

Is it the rhythmic dance of ocean waves, the life-giving rain that nourishes the earth, or the endless mystery of the deep? Does it represent rebirth, purity, or the powerful force that shapes landscapes and history?

Water is more than just an element—it is a universal symbol of life, transformation, and boundless possibility. It exists in every culture, every ecosystem, and every human experience. It carries our dreams in flowing rivers, washes away the past, and sustains the present.

For Aquarium 2026, we invite artists worldwide to create and share their most emotional, symbolic, and breathtaking interpretations of water. This is your chance to dive deep into creativity and let your imagination flow as freely as the tides.

Why Aquarium Matters?

In an era where water scarcity is a growing concern, pollution threatens marine life, and climate change alters coastlines, artists play a crucial role in reflecting, questioning, and redefining the world around us. Through Aquarium 2026, your art will not only be exhibited and published but also serve as a powerful voice in an essential conversation about our planet’s future.

WATER is a symbol of purity, cleanness, and life in human culture. Without water, there will be no life, and Aquarium 2026 is an exploration of humanity’s eternal relationship with water—a journey through history, myth, culture, and the very essence of life itself.

Join us in this exploration of humanity’s eternal relationship with water—a journey through history, myth, culture, and the very essence of life itself.

Themes and Topics

Water as the Beginning – The origin of life, evolution, and the primordial connection between water and existence.

Symbol of Purity and Transformation – Spiritual cleansing, rebirth, and water in religious and mythological contexts.

Daily Life & Human Connection to Water – From drinking and cooking to bathing, washing, and sustaining our everyday lives.

Water vs. Fire: The Eternal Contrast – The elemental battle of water against fire, destruction, and renewal.

Environmental Issues & Conservation – Climate change, droughts, rising sea levels, pollution, and the urgent need for preservation.

Oceanic, Underwater, and Marine Life – Explore the beauty, diversity, and fragility of life beneath the waves.

The Mystery & Magic of the Deep – Ancient legends, deep-sea creatures, mermaids, lost cities, and the uncharted abyss.

Waterscapes & Natural Wonders – Majestic waterfalls, serene lakes, vast oceans, sacred rivers, and hidden ponds.

Water in Motion – The energy of waves, waterfalls, whirlpools, hurricanes, and the unstoppable force of flowing water.

Human Interaction with Water – Sailing, swimming, surfing, fishing, and the role of water in travel and adventure.

Cultural & Historical Waterways – The Nile, Amazon, Yangtze, Venice canals—water’s role in shaping civilizations.

Dreams, Reflection, & the Emotional Symbolism of Water – The calm of still water, the chaos of storms, the mirror of a soul.

Abstract Explorations of Water – Go beyond representation and dive into the pure essence of water—its movement, transparency, fluidity, and ever-changing nature. Capture the unseen rhythms of waves, the emotions evoked by water’s presence, and the interplay of light, color, and texture that make water both tangible and elusive. Let abstraction reveal the soul of water in ways that realism cannot.

Exhibition, Publication & Sales

Artists selected for Aquarium 2026 will receive:

✅ International Exhibition – Your artwork will be featured in the Aquarium 2026 online international group exhibition by Gallerium, gaining exposure to a global audience of collectors, art lovers, and industry professionals.

✅ Artsy.net Feature – Jury-selected works will be showcased on Artsy.net, the world’s largest network of art collectors, providing unparalleled visibility and potential sales.

✅ Publication in The Book of Art – A subset of selected artworks will be published in The Book of Art, a professional art publication designed to showcase talented contemporary artists.

✅ Digital Certificates & Promotion – Receive a professional digital certificate of participation, plus extensive online promotion across social media and art platforms.

✅ A Community of Artists: Join a movement of creators who explore, honor, and celebrate the spirit of water through art.

Who Can Apply?

🌟 Open to all artists worldwide – Any age, background, or career stage
🎨 All 2D & 3D mediums accepted – Painting, drawing, digital, mixed media, sculpture, installation, fiber art, photography, and more
🖌 All styles welcome – Abstract, conceptual, figurative, contemporary, modern, surrealism, minimalism, and beyond

🔹 Free Submission – Only selected artists will be required to pay a small fixed selection fee to participate.

Visit last year’s exhibition: https://www.gallerium.art/aquarium-2025 

Explore past exhibitions: https://www.gallerium.art/exhibitions 

AWARDS

■ International Exhibition
Selected artworks will be part of an exclusive two-month global online exhibition, running from August 13, to October 13, 2026. 

■ Artsy.net Global Marketplace Shop
Selected works will be showcased and featured permanently on ARTSY, one of the leading platforms for art collectors worldwide, broadening exposure and enhancing sales opportunities for artists.

■ Publication Feature
A subset of the selected artworks may be chosen to be highlighted in The Book of Arts Publication. The book will be available in both digital and premium print editions, featuring vivid colorful A4 pages. It will reach a wide audience, including art experts, galleries, curators, businesses, and collectors through prominent publication networks.

■ Artwork Promotion and Sales
All exhibited works will be available for viewing through the online showcase, with the option to sell. Artists are welcome to participate whether or not their works are listed for sale or sold.

■ Exhibition Collection Catalogue
All exhibited artists will be featured in the catalogue. Artists can request printed copies via print-on-demand services from a partner platform, and the catalogue will be promoted internationally online, reaching art lovers, galleries, curators, and collectors.

■ Honorable Mention Artist Award
Up to 10 outstanding artists will receive a personalized distinguished artist award digital certificate, recognizing their exceptional skill, originality, and artistic contribution. This honor will also be featured across our social media channels, spotlighting these remarkable talents.

■ Permanent Online Presence
Exhibition links, along with artist profiles, will stay active permanently, enhancing online visibility and boosting search engine presence. After the exhibition concludes, the Buy button will be deactivated, but artist pages will continue to promote the artist's work and achievements.

■ Exhibition Poster
Each artist will receive a downloadable exhibition poster in various styles, providing a meaningful keepsake from the event.

■ Artwork Visibility Badges
Artists will be provided with a downloadable promotional badge for each selected artwork, encouraging them to share their participation on social media, boosting their visibility and audience engagement.

■ Visitors Feedback
Visitors to the online exhibition will have the opportunity to leave comments and rate the artworks. Artists will receive these reviews via email, offering insights into audience impressions and engagement with their work.

■ Promotion Campaign
A comprehensive promotional campaign will be launched to enhance exposure for all selected artists and drive artwork sales during the exhibition. This will include press releases, catalogue distribution, social media promotions, and more.

■ Performance Insights and Reports
Artists will receive detailed reports with insights on exhibition visits, artwork engagement, popularity, and sales performance. These analytics will be sent periodically, helping artists understand their impact and audience reach.

■ Professional Artist Profile 
Each artist will be granted a complimentary profile page on Biafarin platform, offering a professional space to showcase their portfolio, biography, and accomplishments.

■ Certificate for Exhibited Artists
All selected artists will receive a Digital Certificate of participation, acknowledging their contribution to the exhibition.

FEES

Submission: FREE

Only jury-selected artists will pay a selection fee of USD 40

An early bird selection fee with a 15% discount (USD 34) will be offered.

Up to 10 artworks can be submitted.

A maximum of two artworks will be selected per artist.

Jury Process

We use two phases for jurying. The first phase of jurying is the Yes/No selection, and the 2nd part is the scoring model. For scoring, each jury member scores artworks from 1 to 10. Artworks with the highest scores in the "Yes" group will be selected.

Why Selection Fee?

Submission to this art opportunity is free of charge, and we only ask the selected artists to pay a small fixed fee to proceed. 

This decision was made in good faith because we wanted artists to only pay when selected. We have a thorough jury process as our art opportunities are popular and have a low acceptance rate.

Money-back Guarantee

A money-back guarantee is available for all selection fee payments until the exhibition's official opening day.

About Gallerium

Gallerium art exhibitions are intended to create equal showcasing opportunities for brilliant visual artists worldwide.

Art improves people's lives, and showcasing art is a true and effective way of playing a part in building a better world. In this way, Gallerium utilizes the Biafarin exhibition platform to boost the benefits of the exhibitions. It is always free to submit your art in Gallerium competitions, while only selected artists need to pay a small selection fee.

Each one of Gallerium's shows focuses on a unique subject.

International artists are encouraged to express their artistic interpretation of the subject for an opportunity to be selected for exhibition.

Gallerium exhibitions have been seen by more than 4 million visitors worldwide.

About The Book of Arts

The Book of Arts is a series of contemporary art books published by Discover the Artist Media Holding and Art Publications Network. The mission is to publish prominent art from artists of various cultures and nationalities via several editions each year. Each edition focuses on a specific subject to make a visual story of modern and contemporary art in the art world.

The publications are available to hundreds of thousands of art experts, collectors, galleries, museums, curators, and enthusiasts in digital and print format and reach readers in over 150 countries.

The online version of the book will be published and circulated globally, while the high-quality hardcopy version can be ordered online and directly via a print-on-demand platform.

Application Requirements

ARTIST DATA

Artist Headshot Photo
Artist Full Name
City and Country of Residence
Phone
Email
Social Media Links (optional)
Website (optional)

Biography 

Artist Statement (optional)

ARTWORK DATA

Title

Category

Technique

Surface

Creation Year

Size (WidthXHeightXDepth) in cm or inches

Artwork/Series Description (Optional)

Price in USD

Eligibility Criteria

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to all visual artists worldwide.

ARTWORK ELIGIBILITY

Art Categories

The submission is open to all visual artists creating original artworks in 2 and 3-dimensional media.

Visual Arts Categories: Painting, drawing, landscapes, printmaking, illustration, photography, digital arts, sculpture, metalsmithing, installation, crafts, jewelry, glass art, ceramic art, paper art, book art, land art, fiber art, textile art, wood art, collage, abstract, graphic arts, design, and mixed media are accepted.

Style
All styles are accepted.

Any abstract or representational interpretations of the subject are welcome.

Size
There is no size limit for submitted artwork.

Duration
There is no limit to the artwork creation year.
Artworks created within the last 5 years are preferred.

Originality and Rights
Artworks must be entirely the work of the entrant, executed without the supervision of an instructor.

Entries must not be copies or derivatives based in any way on other copyrighted or published paintings, photographs, or other artistic work. Any infraction of this rule will result in serious consequences.
Artists should have all the rights to present and publish their artworks internationally.

Artwork Photo

Only the artwork should show in the photo (no frames or extraneous backgrounds).

Invited artists might be asked for high-resolution artwork photos if needed.

Availability

Artists can submit artworks that are not for sale.

Number of Artworks

Artists can submit up to 10 pieces of original artwork in relation to the subject.

The artworks are subject to selection, and a maximum of two artworks might be selected from the chosen artists.

Other

Artworks that, in the reasonable view of the organizer, include porn, violence, and/or racial, and religious hatred, inappropriate and/or offensive content, are not admissible.