Call for Artists

We host an annual national art exhibit in the fall at Ashton Gallery, where artists from all over the U.S. can enter and get their artwork in front of San Diego art buyers and enthusiasts.

Blackout: 5th Annual National Exhibition

Hidden, secretive, sexy black. Seductive, powerful, elegant black. Formal, prestigious, mysterious black. Step into the womb of night and bring on the noir!

If your piece features dominant black or simply features black in a prominent way—it's eligible!

Juror:
Daniel Foster
30-year career in arts and museum leadership in Southern California​

Exhibit Dates:
November 8 - December 5

Deadline to Submit:
Friday, September 12th by 10:59pm pacific

Show Prospectus

Eligibility

All 2-dimensional art welcome (min size: 10", max size: 72"). Any 3-dimensional artwork that fits on a pedestal. Photography, fabric, and journal pages are also welcomed if prepared for hanging. Enter your art submissions online digitally through Cafe.(see directions below)

Submissions must be the artist's original work. All entries must be for sale and priced. Artwork that is labeled as "NFS" will be juried out.

Awards & Cash Prizes

The juror will be awarding Best in Show, 1st Place, Juror's Choice, and two Honorable Mentions.

$1,000 awarded in cash prizes! 

All award winners will receive a double spread in the exhibition catalog. Best in show will also be featured on the catalog cover.

Preparing Your Artwork

Art must be wired and ready-to-hang.

Artwork not wired and d-ringed will be juried out. Our gallery utilizes a wire hanging system that requires two D-rings on the back of your work. We recommend these D-Rings and Soft Strand Wire No.5.​

Eyelet screws, buckles, and sawtooth hangers are not usable with our hanging system.

Artists must also include their signature or name, artwork title, size, and medium on the backside of the piece. It cannot be left blank. Artwork missing this important information will be juried out.

Entering Details

  • Entry fee for up to 1 piece for $35
  • Upload one image per entry
  • $5 entry fee for each additional entry up to 6 pieces total
  • Submit Art: now through Friday, September 12th
  • Deadline: Friday, September 12th
  • All entry information, including images of your artwork, must be completed and submitted online with Cafe before 10:59pm pacific in order to be considered by the juror.
  • Entry fees do not guarantee admission into the exhibit. Entry fees cover the cost of hosting a national show.
  • If your art sells, the gallery received the industry standard of 50% commission. 

Notifications

You will be notified of the juror's decision via email by end of day on Monday, September 30th.

Important Dates (Summary)

  • 9/12/2025 - Deadline @ 10:59pm pacific
  • 9/30/2025 - Notification of results
  • 9/30–10/18 - Drop off for local art
  • 10/8/2025 - Postmark deadline for shipped art
  • 11/8/2025 - Opening Reception @ 4pm-7pm
  • 12/5/2025 - Exhibition ends
  • 12/5/2025 - Pickup begins for unsold local art
  • 12/10/2025 - Returns begin for unsold shipped art
  • 12/19–1/1 - We are closed for Winter Break

Tips for Digital Submissions

Watch this short video on YouTube about how to photograph and crop your art with just a phone.

Register & Submit Art on Cafe

Entry fees do not guarantee admission into the show; they cover the cost of hosting a national show.

  • Step 1

    Register for an account on Cafe's website. If you already have an account, login and go to Step 2.

  • Step 2

    Setup your Cafe profile and upload pieces you want to enter to your Cafe portfolio. Images must be uploaded to your account FIRST before you can select them on the call's application.

  • Step 3

    Go to our call for art page HERE and submit the call's application, along with the appropriate fee for the number of entries you are entering.

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