Call for Artists

Call For Artists

Departures: The Art of Leaving this Place - South Gallery Exhibition

Salina Art Center, October 21st – November 22nd, 2026

History & Purpose

The Salina Art Center invites artists to submit work for Departures: The Art of Leaving this Place — an exploration of how we confront, commemorate, and create meaning around life’s inevitable transitions.

From aging and loss to spiritual renewal and ecological legacy, Departures invites artists to reflect on end of life, death, dying, grief, transformation, healing, philosophical and spiritual aspects of our relationship to death. An important component of each piece is the story behind it. In this exhibit, the artist’s narrative will accompany each piece of work on display.

The exhibition honors the beauty, mystery, and humanity in life’s impermanence through drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, textiles, photography, performance, film, digital-based media, and more.

Presented in partnership with Heart Land Prairie Cemetery, a prairie restoration burial site, and the Central Kansas Death Care Collective (CKDCC), this exhibition seeks to deepen community understanding of death, grief, and remembrance across cultures and belief systems.

Enter Here

Entries

  • All entries must be submitted online.

  • Open to artists of all ages, working in any medium

  • All entries must be received by September 15th, 2026.

  • A $5 submission fee applies.

  • Artists may submit up to three separate works and no more than two media files per work, for a total of six files.

  • Media files must be clearly labeled with the title of the work and the artist’s name.(last name_first name_Title of Work_year created)

  • Each entry must include an artist narrative (max 200 words) describing the work’s story or connection to the theme. Submissions without a narrative will not be considered.

  • Artwork must be ready for exhibition and professionally presented.

  • Artists are responsible for delivery and return shipping of their work.

Conditions of Acceptance

  • Applicants will be notified of acceptance by September 25th, 2026

  • Selected applicants must complete a loan agreement including an insurance value for their work

  • Once accepted, work may not be removed from the Art Center prior to the exhibition’s close, November 22nd, 2026

Shipping and Insurance
Selected artists grant Salina Art Center permission to reproduce their work for publicity purposes.The Salina Art Center will insure work wall-to-wall under its fine art policy.

Artists will be responsible for delivering work to and from the Salina Art Center, including any round-trip shipping/insurance costs. Work must be shipped in sturdy, reusable packaging and adequately protected against the normal stresses encountered while in transit. All packaging should be clearly marked with the artist’s name and address. Shipments should be sent to:

Salina Art Center

242 S. Santa Fe

Salina, KS, 67401

Work may be hand-delivered during public hours, Wednesday - Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, or Sunday from 10am-2 pm or by appointment during our office hours, Monday - Friday, 9 am-5 pm.

We have volunteers willing to travel to collect work from schools if shipping or delivery is a barrier to participation.

All selected pieces must arrive at the Art Center by October 9th, 2026, by 5 pm.

Presentation

Work must be received in ready-to-exhibit condition. The Art Center will not be responsible for framing, mounting, or otherwise preparing works for exhibition.

A professional presentation of artwork is required for inclusion in the exhibition. Framing is preferred for 2D works, but professional mounting/installation will also be accepted; 3D works must be stable. It is highly recommended that works on paper are framed. Any works that are matted must be in a frame. The Art Center reserves the right to reject any work that is not presented in a professional manner, deemed unsafe/unstable, or otherwise unsuitable for handling or display. Please contact the Art Center if you have any questions or concerns.

Return of Work

Work must be picked up or returned to the artist by November 28th – December 6th, 2026.

Dates to Remember

September 15th, 2026                             Call for Submission entries due by midnight

September 16th - 24th, 2026             Selection process

September 25th, 2026                            Artists notified

October 9th, 2026                           Selected pieces must be at the Salina Art Center

October 21st, 2026                            Exhibition opens

November 6th, 2026                         Opening reception (5-7 pm) 

November 22nd, 2026               Exhibition closes

December 6th, 2026                     Deadline for works to be picked up or returned