Short Description:
Word Play invites artists to influence the viewer through the interplay between text and visual elements in contemporary art. Today, we no longer have the patience to read long blogs or books; we expect fast, attention-grabbing imagery and memes to stimulate our senses. In Word Play, we are looking for artworks that creatively engage with text, whether through words, letters, phrases, or entire narratives. The text can serve as a message, a visual texture, a conceptual element, or even as the main subject. We encourage submissions that explore the interaction between words and image, spanning themes such as language, identity, culture, politics, and beyond. Ways in which artists may approach Word Play include but are not limited to: works that show the interplay of just one word with layered meanings or a multitude of words layered within imagery or creating their own imagery; works where imagery or word disrupt or disturb each other; artworks on surfaces that are normally associated with words such as books and magazines; artworks that marry word and imagery such as a gameboard, playing cards, puzzles, graphic novel, or comic strips; words woven into fiber art, embroidered or imprinted on self-designed fabrics; 3-D pieces that spell out words; or a blending of art and word through traditional or contemporary ink drawing and calligraphy. Word Play is an opportunity for artists to express the unique interplay between writing and art in the here and now where text contributes to or transforms the viewer’s experience.
Application Requirements:
ARTWORK MAXIMUM SIZE
Dimensional Work: Height 60 inches, Width 40 inches – including frame
Dimensional Work: Must fit pedestal sized 16 inches x 16 inches or take up no more than 4 feet of gallery floor space.
Shipped works may not exceed 40 pounds, including packing materials and crate.
ARTWORK DIGITAL IMAGE FILE SIZE
Submit JPG images sized approximately 4 inches wide x 6 inches high at 300 dpi resolution. In order to upload successfully, your image must be at least 1200 pixels wide. The maximum uploadable file size is 8 megabytes.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION
Artworks must arrive ‘ready to hang’ and be presented professionally. Framed artwork must use wood frames in black, white, or natural wood finishes, or metal frames in black, grey, white or natural metals finishes. No color mats. No glass, plexi only.
Eligibility:
Artists residing in the United States.
Program Benefits or Awards:
GALLERY AND ONLINE EXHIBITION
There are two opportunities to get into this show. The juror will select works that will be exhibited in the Arc Gallery at 1246 Folsom Street and works that will be included only in the Arc Online Gallery.
AWARD
A $250 check, juror’s award ribbon, recognition certificate, and the show catalog will be awarded to three works that express the most imaginative interpretation of the theme.
Entry Fee:
Payment of $35 per entry through Paypal. An entry consists of one to three submissions of artworks. A maximum of two entries (six artworks) per person is allowed.
Location: United States
Deadline: September 8, 2025
Website link: https://www.arc-sf.com/call-for-artists.html
