Organizer Information
The open call is organized by the international juried platform THE FL3TCH3R EXHIBIT in collaboration with Fischman Gallery. THE FL3TCH3R EXHIBIT is a long-running socially engaged art initiative established in memory of Fletcher Hancock Dyer, a young artist and designer whose work and writing emphasized the role of art as protest, inquiry, and cultural intervention. The exhibition positions itself within the tradition of politically and socially engaged contemporary art, foregrounding work that critically examines systems of power, social injustice, collective memory, and contested public narratives. Now in its 13th anniversary edition, the program continues to function as an international juried exhibition platform that brings together artists working across disciplines and geographies.
Fischman Gallery, the hosting venue for the 2026 edition, is a contemporary exhibition space in Johnson City, Tennessee, that supports both regional and international artists. Since its establishment, the gallery has expanded its programming to include monthly exhibitions and juried international shows, emphasizing accessibility and cross-cultural exchange in contemporary art practices.
Title & Description
2026 International FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social & Politically Engaged Art
This juried exhibition invites artists worldwide to submit work that engages directly with social, political, and cultural conditions of contemporary life. The central curatorial premise is that art functions not only as representation but as intervention—capable of questioning dominant narratives, exposing systemic inequities, and opening spaces for reflection and dissent.
Selected works will be exhibited at Fischman Gallery from August 7 to September 27, 2026. The exhibition emphasizes critical engagement rather than passive viewing, encouraging artworks that confront complexity, contradiction, and urgency in public discourse. The juror for 2026 is Jessica “J.B.” Burke, an academic and contemporary realist artist whose practice explores ritual, folklore, and mortality.
Categories
- Painting (all forms)
- Drawing
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Installation (including installation via video documentation)
- Video/Film (up to 15 minutes)
- Sound/Audio works
- Digital Art / New Media
- Graphic Design
- Fiber/Textile Art
- Mixed Media (2D and 3D)
- Ceramics
- Jewelry/Metals
- Performance (via video documentation)
- Interdisciplinary and experimental formats
Eligibility
- Open internationally to artists and designers aged 18 and older
- Applicants from any country may apply, provided entry fees are paid in USD
- Open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists
- Collaborative submissions are allowed
- Medical and healthcare professionals may be eligible for a special award category
- All submitted work must be original and not infringe copyright
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists will receive:
- Inclusion in a juried international exhibition at Fischman Gallery
- Public exhibition from August 7 – September 27, 2026
- Consideration for multiple awards, including:
- Best of Show
- Award of Excellence (2 awards)
- Sammie L. Nicely Award
- Fischman Gallery Award
- Avery Healthcare & the Arts Award
- Additional juror-selected awards (TBA)
- Public programming including a juror’s talk and awards reception
- Potential artwork sales through Fischman Gallery (30% commission applies)
- Exhibition exposure in an international curated context
Application Fee
- $40 (early online entry for up to 3 artworks)
- $45 (extended deadline online entry)
- $50 (email or USPS submission base fee)
- Additional works: +$10 per artwork beyond the first three
- Fees are non-refundable
Application Requirements
- Completed entry form
- High-resolution digital images (JPEG) or video files (.mov preferred)
- Artwork details (title, medium, dimensions, year, description)
- Artist CV or résumé (optional but recommended)
- Artist statement (brief version under 400 characters required; longer version optional/encouraged)
- Image list corresponding to submissions
- Contact information (email, address, phone number)
- Signed agreement to terms and conditions
- Payment confirmation (PayPal, check, or money order)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline (Early): 23 June 2026
- Extended Deadline: June 24 – June 30, 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: Week of July 15, 2026
- Deadline for shipped works: 31 July 2026
- Exhibition Dates: August 7 – September 27, 2026
- Juror Talk & Reception: 4 September 2026
- Return of artworks: September 28 – October 3, 2026
Location
Johnson City, United States
Additional Details
- Works must be original and properly documented
- Large-scale installations are discouraged due to spatial constraints
- Maximum video length: 15 minutes
- Maximum file size for video: 1000MB
- Artworks must be safely installable and meet gallery handling requirements
- Artists are responsible for shipping, insurance during transit, and return logistics
- Accepted works may be used for promotional and educational purposes
- The juror's decision is final
- Works may be sold through the gallery with a 30% commission
- Works not collected within 60 days may become the property of the organizing exhibition